

THE 



FLORIST'S GUIDE; 

CONTAINING 

PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS 

FOR THE CULTIVATION OP 



!j ANNUAL, BIENNIAL, AND PERENNIAL 



OF DIFFERENT CLASSES 



HERBACEOUS AND SHRUBBY, 
{ BULBOUS, FIBROUS, AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED; \ 



INCLUDING 



I THE DOUBLE DAHLIA, | 

I ' GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS, &e.~ 



S B 

H05 



BY T. BRIDGEMAN, 

GARDENER, SEEDSMAN AND FLORIST, NEW-YORK. 

INT^ ^ND SOLD BY W. MITCHELL, 265 BOWERY: 

y the Author, corner of I8th street and Bowery Road ; G. C. 
lorburn, 67 Liberty-street ; Alexander Smith, 338 Broadway, and 
ler Seedsmen and Florists ; by J. Stanley and Co. 418 Broadway, 
G. Shaw, 134 Bowery, and the Bookellers in general. 



<%A a /, ^ 3:±-0B 

=Q!Ujf •B.&.5 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



THE 

FLORIST'S GUIDE; 

CONTAINING 

PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS 

FOR THE CULTIVATION OF 

ANNUAL, BIENNIAL, AND PERENNIAL 

OF DIFFERENT CLASSES, 

HERBACEOUS AND SHRUBBY, 

BULBOUS, FIBROUS, AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED; 

INCLUDING 

THE DOUBLE DAHLIA, 

GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS, &c. 

BY T.TrIDGEMAN, 

GARDENER, SEEDSMAN AND FLORIST, NEW-YORK. 

PRINTED AND SOLD BY W. MITCHELL, 265 BOWERY: 

Sold by the Author, corner of I8th street and Bowery Road, immediately 
north of Union Place ; G. C. Thorburn, 67 Liberty-street ; Alexander 
Smith, 338 Broadway, and other Seedsmen and Florists ; by J. Stanley 
and Co. 418 Broadway, J. G. Shaw, 134 Bowery, and the Bookellers in 
general. 

1835. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1835, by 
THOMAS BRIDGEMAN, 
in the Clerk's office, of the District Court of the United States, for the 
Southern District of New York, in the Second Circuit. 




PREFACE. 



Perhaps there is no subject on which the mind of 
man can ruminate, that is better calculated to afford 
substantial intellectual pleasure and satisfaction, than 
the study of nature ; especially if we view it from the 
consideration, that as man is subservient to God, so 
are all instinctive beings, as well as all the productions 
of the earth, subservient to, and designed for, the use 
of man. 

Man being thus dignified-, and endowed with un- 
derstanding, reason, and moral ; freedom, is exalted far 
above all other creatures of the earth. How import- 
ant, then, that he should maintain his station in 
society as becomes a rational and intelligent being, 
instead of sinking himself, as too many do, below the 
meanest of the mean, by dissipation and vice. 

It is a fact which cannot be controverted, that the 
want of mental and manual employment, often proves 
an incentive to vice, which infallibly will produce 



4 



PREFACE. 



misery ; and, so surely as the earth will bring forth 
noxious weeds when left uncultivated, so surely will 
one vice beget others ; which, if not eradicated, will 
multiply to an alarming extent, until its victims be- 
come a pest to civil society, and a disgrace to man- 
kind. 

Now as happiness is preferable to misery, virtue to 
vice, knowledge to ignorance, and order to confusion, 
how important is it that those who make pretensions 
to rationality, should employ their leisure hours in a 
manner calculated to insure the greatest amount of 
that which is intrinsically valuable. 

What subject can be better calculated to promote; 
such a desideratum than the subject of cultivation 
when viewed in all its bearings ? But as we are about 
treating of Flowers, I would confine my ideas, as 
nearly as possible, to the object in view ; trusting, that 
while the hand is employed in cultivating the tran- 
sient beauties of the Garden, that the attentive mind 
will feast and fare daintily on the study of nature, and 
in the end enrich itself with solid and lasting good. 
As an excitement to such study, the following 
thoughts are submitted. 

Nature in itself is beautiful, enchantingly beautiful, 
but it is the province of man to adorn it ; to collect 



PREFACE. 



5 



about him the scattered and single beauties, and to 
see, and feel, and enjoy them. Nature is fruitful, 
inexhaustibly fruitful ; but man must improve her 
fertility, guide it, and give it its most generally useful 
direction. Nature is full of life, but man is capable of 
diversifying, elevating, and ennobling this life ; and he 
is amply rewarded for his labour. 

lt Thine is a glorious volume, Nature ! Each 
Line, leaf, and page, are fill'd with living lore ; 
Wisdom more pure than sage could ever teach, 
And all philosophy's divinest store j 
Rich lessons rise where'er thy tracks^are trod— 
The book of Nature is the book of God." 

But I had almost forgotten that this treatise on the 
cultivation of the Beauties of Nature, is chiefly de- 
signed for the use of the softer sex. I shall not 
content myself by merely offering an apology for 
such digression, but will promise, in future, to bear 
them in mind throughout my studies, not doubting 
but my humble efforts to amuse and instruct them, 
will be duly appreciated; which, to an author, is a 
source of inexpressible satisfaction. 

Having thus introduced myself to my fair readers, 
I shall proceed to treat of the cultivation of all the 
various kinds of flowering plants ; and I flatter myself, 
that if I should, by implanting a taste for rural sub- 
jects, succeed in making them good CULTIVA- 

1* 



6 



PEBTACE, 



TORS, in the fullest sense of the word, that they 
will be immeasurably happy in " The Matrimonial 
Garden/'* should they ever enter therein ; and in like 
proportion, as they advance in the work of cultiva- 
tion, will they excel in virtue ; which a wise man 
once declared was to a woman of immense value, 
" far above rubies," yea, even equal to a glittering 
" crown." That we may all attain our object, is the 
sincere wish of 

THE AUTHOR. 

Bowery Road, February 14, 1835. 



* This refers to an article entitled " The Matrimonial Garden/' 
which will be found at the end of the book. 




REFLECTIONS. 

Whate'er has beauty, worth, or power, 

Or grace, or lustre, is a Flower ; 

Wit is a Flower ; and bards prepare 

The Flowers of Fancy for the fair ; 

While Beauty's flowery fetters bind 

In sweet captivity the mind. 

Deep in the bosom dwells a Flower, 

Nor time shall taint, nor death devour ; 

A Flower that no rude season fears, 

And virtue is the fruit it bears ; 

Which join'd to patience, peace, and love v 

Will smooth the path to realms above. 



OBSERVATIONS 



ON THE 



Previous to forming a Flower Garden, the ground 
should be made mellow and rich, by being well pul- 
verised, manured, and prepared in every respect as if 
intended for a Kitchen Garden. A Flower Garden 
should be protected from cold cutting winds by close 
fences, or plantations of shrubs^ forming a close and 
compact hedge, which should be neatly trimmed every 
year. Generally speaking, a Flower Garden should 
not be upon a large scale ; the beds or borders should 
in no part of them be broader than the cultivater can 
reach to, without treading on them : the shape and 
number of the beds must be determined by the size of 
the ground, and the taste of the person laying out the 
garden. Much of the beauty of a pleasure garden 
depends on the manner in which it is laid out ; a great 
variety of figures may be indulged in for the Flower 
bed. Some choose oval or circular forms, others 
squares, triangles, hearts, diamonds, &c. r and inter- 
sected winding gravel walks. 



10 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



Neatness should be the prevailing characteristic of a' 
Flower Garden, and it should be so situated as to form 
an ornamental appendage to the house ; and where 
circumstances will admit, placed before windows ex- 
posed to a southern or south-eastern aspect. The 
principle on which it is laid out, ought to be that of 
exhibiting a variety of colour and form, so blended as 
to present one beautiful whole. Jn a small Flower 
Garden, viewed from tfife windows of a house, this 
effect is best produced by beds, or borders formed on 
the side of each other, and parallel to the windows 
from whence they are seen, as by that position the 
colours show themselves to the best advantage. In a 
retired part of the garden, a rustic seat may be formed, 
over and around which honey-suckles and other sweet 
and ornamental creepers and climbers may be trained 
on trellises, so as to afford a pleasant retirement. 

Although the greatest display is produced by a ge- 
neral Flower Garden, that is, by cultivating such a 
variety of sorts in one bed or border, as may nearly 
insure a constant blooming, yet bulbous plants, while 
essential to the perfection of the Flower Garden, lose 
something of their peculiar beauty when not cultivated 
by themselves. The extensive variety of bulbous 
roots furnish means for the formation of a garden, the 
beauty of which arising from an intermixture of every 
variety of form and colour, would well repay the trou- 
ble of cultivation, particularly as by a judicious selec- 
tion and management, a succession of bloom may be 
kept up for some length of time. As, however, bul- 
bous flowers lose their richest tints about the time that 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



II 



annuals begin to display their beauty, there can be no 
well-founded objection to the latter being transplanted 
into the bulbous beds, so that the opening blossoms of 
the annuals may fill the place of those just withered, 
and continue to supply the flower beds with all the 
gaiety and splendour of the floral kingdom. 

But the taste of the florist will be exercised to little 
purpose, in his selection of flowers, if he does not pay 
strict attention to the general state of his garden. If 
there are lawns or grass walks, they should be fre- 
quently trimmed, and more frequently mowed and 
rolled, to prevent the grass from interfering with the 
flower beds, and to give the whole a neat regular 
carpet-like appearance. If there are gravel walks, 
they should be frequently cleaned, replenished with 
fresh gravel, and rolled. Box and other edgings 
should be kept clear of weeds, and neatly trimmed 
every spring. Decayed plants should be removed, 
and replaced with vigorous ones from the nursery bed. 
Tall-flowering plants must be supported by neat poles 
or rods ; and all dead stalks and leaves from decayed 
flowers must be frequently removed. 

In the summer season, all kinds of insects must be 
timely destroyed, and in the evenings of warm days, 
the flowers will require frequent watering. 



12 



A CATALOGUE OF ANNUAL FLOWER SEEDS. 



GRAINES DE FLEURES ANNUELLES. 



Alkekengi, or Kite Flower, Atropa physaloides. 

Alyssum Sweet, Alyssum maritium. 

$ Amaranthus, three-coloured, Amaranthus tricolor. 

Amethyst, blue, Amethystea cerulea. 

§ Balsamines of various co- 
lours, lmpatiens balsamina. 

Bladder ketmia, Hibiscus trionum. 

Blue bottle, great, Centaurea cyanus major. 

Blue bottle, small, cyanus minor. 

9 Browallia (blue and white,) Browallia data. 

5 Cacalia, scarlet, Cacalia coccinea. 

Candytuft, white and purple, Iberis alba and purpurea. 

Do. sweet scented, , odorata. 

Catch fly, Silene armeria. 

Centaurea, great American, Centaurea Americana. 

China asters of various kinds 

and colours, Aster sinensis. 

Chinese mallow, red, Malva sinensis rubra. 

Chrysanthemum, white, yel- 
low and tri-eoloured, Chrysanthemum coronarium. 

§ Cockscomb, crimson and 

yellow, Celoeia cristata. 

* Convolvulus, dwarf, Convolvulus minor. 
Coreopsis, Golden, Coreopsis tinctoria. 
Cuckold's Horn, (two stami- 

ned,) Martynia diandria. 

Devil in a Bush, or love in a 

mist, in varieties, Nigella damascena. 

Dew Plant, Messembryanthemum gldbrum. 

* Evening Primrose, Oenothera grandijlora. 
Eternal flower, yellow, Xeranthemwn lucidum. 

Do. purple, annum. 
Euphorbia, variegated. Euphorbia variegata. 



ANNUAL FLOWER SEEDS. 



IS 



Feather, grass, Stipa pinnaia. 

Flos adonis, rfdonis miniata. 

i Globe Amaranthus, purple, 

white, and striped, Gomphrena globosa. 

Graceful, branched podolepis, Podulepis gracilis. 



Hawkvveed, yellow, 

Do. red, 

Do. white, 
* Hedge Hogs, 
i Ice plant, 

Jacobea, or Groundsell, purple 

and white, 
Job's Tears, 
Larkspur, broad leaved, 
Do. branching and up. 
right, 
Lavatera, European, 
Love lies bleeding, 

Lupins of various colours, 



Marigold, African, 
Do. French, 
Marigold, starry, 
*Marvel of Peru, (or 4 o'clock) Mir a bi lis jalapa 
* Mignonette, (sweet scented) Reseda odorata 



Crepisbarbala aurantia. 

rubra, 
alba. 

Medicago inter I ex ta. 
Mesembryanthemum chrystal. 
hnum. 

Senecio elegans and alba. 
Coix lachryma J obi. 
Delphinium peregrinium. 

consolidum. 
Lavatera trimtstris 
Amaranthus melancholic**. 
Lapinus var. 
Malope grandl flora. 
Tagetes ere eta. 

patula. 
Calendula stellata. 



Nolana, trailing, 

* Oats, animated, 
Pansey, or Heart's Ease, 
Pempernell, blue, 

* Poppy, horned, 

* Poppy, officinal white, 
Pentapetes, scarlet, 
Prince's feather, 

4 Sensitive plant, 
Strawberry Spinach, 
Sunflower, tall and dwarf, 
Sweet Sultan, purple, white, 
and yellow, 

* Stock Ten Week, or gilli- 

flower, various colours, 
Touch me not, 



Nolana prostrata. 
Jlvena sensativa. 
Viola tricolor . 
Anagallis cerulea indiea. 
Glaucum luteum. 
Papaver somniferum. 
Pentapetes Phcenica. 
Amaranthus hypochondriasis. 
Mimosa sensiliva. 
Blitum capitatum. 
Helianthus annuus. 

Centaurea, var. 

Cheiranthus annuus. 
Ab/i me tangere. 



14 



ANNUAL FLOWER SEEDS. 



Trefoil, crimson, Trifolium incarnatum. 

Do. sweet scented, odorata. 
* Venus' looking glass, Campanula speculum. 
Venus' navel wort. Cotyledon macrophyllum. 
Xeran them urn, or eternal flow- 
er, white, Xeranthemum Jucidum alba, 
Ximenisia, Mexican, Ximenisia ensaloides. 
Zinnia, red and yellow, Zinnia, rubra and lutea. 



The following* are climbing plants, and will require 
to be planted in situations where they can be support- 
ed by sticks or twine, without interfering with other 
plants. 



Balloon vine, or love in a puff. Cardiospurmum. 

§ Cypress vine, Ipomoea coccinea. 

Fumitory pink, Fumaria fungosa. 

Hyacinth Bean, Dihchos, purpurea and alba. 

Morning Glory, various co- 
lours, Convolvulus major. 

Balsam Apple and Pear, Momordica balsamina. 

Gourd, the bottle, Cucurbila lagenaria. 

Do. two coloured, bicolor. 

Do. Orange^ aurantia. 

Snake Melon, Cucumis melo anguinus. 

Sweet Peas of various kinds 

and colours, Laihyrus odoratus. 



As 'many city gardens are so limited as not to admit 
of an extensive assortment of Flowers, a select list 
may be made from the above catalogue to suit the 
taste of such as may be so situated ; and amateurs, 
who cultivate on a larger scale, can obtain such addi- 
tional sorts as may be desired at the different seed 
stores, under their various names. 



ANNUAL FLOWER SEEDS. 



15 



Previous to providing annual flower seeds, the cul- 
tivator should lay out a plan of the garden, and in 
making allotments of ground for any particular pur- 
pose, provision should be made for a select assortment 
of such bulbous, tuberous, and perennial plants as may 
be deemed most worthy of attention, not forgetting to 
leave room for some of the choicest varieties of the 
Dahlia, the qualities of which will be described 
hereafter. 

Another consideration is, to have suitable imple- 
ments ready, so that the work can be performed in a 
skilful manner, and at the proper season. A spade, 
rake, hoe, trowel, drilling machine and pruning knife, 
may be deemed essentials ; and in order to have the 
beds laid out with the edges strait and even, a garden 
line should be in readiness. If labels be required, they 
may be made of shingles, which being split into strips 
of about an inch wide, and sharpened at one end, will 
serve for marking distinct kinds, either in pots, or on 
the borders. In order to have the names or numbers 
written in legible characters, the labels should be 
painted on the smooth side with white lead, and then 
marked with black lead pencil before the paint get* 
dry ; inscriptions made in this way will be as durable 
as the label itself. 

The next, and perhaps the most important con- 
sideration is, to have the ground in good condition to 
receive the seed. In order to attain this desirable 
object, let some good rich compost, or very old manure 
be provided, and well mixed with the soil; dig it 



16 



ANNUAL FLOWER SEEDS. 



a full spit deep, pulverising every particle. If the 
ground could be dug to a great depth at the clearing 
up of winter, and then again at the period of sowing 
the seed, it will be an advantage. 

All kinds of annual Flower seeds may be sown in 
the month of April and May, on borders or beds of 
clean light earth ; the beds should be levelled, and the 
seeds sown either in small patches, each kind by itself, 
or in drills from a quarter to half an inch deep, accord- 
ing to the size or nature of the seed. Lupins, Peas, 
&c. should be planted nearly an inch deep. Those 
who would have their plants to flower early, should 
sow the hardy kinds the last week in March, or early 
in April, the most tender (which are marked §) may 
be sown in boxes or pots of light earth at the same 
time. These, if exposed to the sun every day, and 
sheltered in cold nights, will be forwarded in growth, 
and be fit to transplant early in June. Those marked *, 
may also be sown in small pots. As these plants do 
not well bear transplanting, they should be turned out 
of the pots with the balls of earth entire, and placed in 
the* ground where they are intended to flower; or if 
the seed be sown in a bed with other kinds, they should 
be carefully transplanted with a trowel, without dis- 
turbing their roots. The most eligible way to obtain 
early flowers, is to prepare a slight hot-bed for the 
tender kinds, and either to plunge the pots therein up 
to their brims, or to sow the seed in the earth in shallow 
drills, not more than a quarter of an inch deep. It 
may be necessary here to observe, that in favourable 
§easons> flower seed in general will come up in from 



ANNUAL FLOWER SEEDS, 



17 



©ne to three weeks after it is sown, except the seed of 
Cypress vine, which should be first partially scalded 
in warm water, and then sown. If some of the hardy 
annuals be sown in September, they will grow large 
enough to survive the winter by a slight covering of 
straw or litter ; and if plants thus raised, be trans- 
planted early in the spring, they will produce very 
early flowers. The following are some of the hardiest : 



Alyssum sweet. 
Coreopsis, in varieties. 
China aster, in varieties. 
Catch fly. 

Chrysanthemum, in varieties. 



Evening Primrose. 
Larkspur, in varieties. 
Pansey, or Heart's ease* 
Poppy, in varieties. 
Rocket Larkspur. 



To prevent disappointment, I would recommend 
great care to be taken to keep the seed beds as clear 
from weeds as possible. It cannot be denied but 
young plants are apt to get smothered, and sometimes 
pulled up with weeds. To obviate this, I would sug- 
gest that the seeds be sown in shallow drills, each 
kind by itself, and that an account be kept of the con- 
tents of each drill in a book ; also of all seeds that are 
sown at different times, and by being particular in the 
dates, you may always know when to expect your 
plants to come up. Those persons who may be 
totally unacquainted with plants, will, by this means, 
be enabled to identify each particular kind, and thus 
become familiarly acquainted with them. In order 
that this may be rendered plain to my readers, I adopt 
the following plan of entry of six kinds sown in pots, 
and six in the open ground : 



2* 



IS 



ANNUAL FLOWER SEEDS. 



April 20, sowed flower seeds in pots. 

Pot marked A, or 1, Amaranthus tricolour. 

B, or 2. Balsomines. 

C, or 3, Cockscomb, crimson, 

D, or 4. Egg Plant. 

E, or 5, Ice Plant. 

F, or 6, Mignonette. 

These pots may be either marked with letters or 
figures on the outside, to answer with the book, or 
notches may be cut in wood, or other labels affixed to 
the pots, and entered accordingly. 

April 20, sowed flower seeds in drills, as under : 

No. 1, Bladder ketmia. 

2, Coreopsis tinctoria. 

3, Yellow Eternal flower. 

4, Globe amaranthus. 

5, Prince s feather. 

6, Larkspur branching. 

If these numbers be continued to 100, or even 1000, 
there can be no mistake, provided the rows are all 
marked according to the entry in the book ; or if No. 1 
be noted, plain sticks will answer afterwards, if one be 
stuck at each end of every row. In this case, it would 
be well to leave a space every ten or twenty rows, 
and note the number of the rows ; by this means, they 
can be the more easily traced. 

If the book be kept by any other than the Gardener, 
each bag or paper of seed should be marked or num- 
bered according to the entry in the book, and given to 
the Gardener, with directions to sow them in the re- 
gular order. 



ANNUAL FLOWER SEED3. 



19 



When seeds are intended to be sown in patches, 
which is often done for want of an unoccupied border, 
the best way to perform this business is, after having 
pulverised the soil, to impress circular drilis in the 
surface, with the rim of a flower pot, which may be 
large or small, according to fancy. By sowing seeds 
in such circular drills, the plants can be the more easily 
traced than when scattered promiscuously over the 
ground, and the weeds can be destroyed with less risk 
and trouble. Such kinds as are marked in the cata- 
logue* may remain as sown, or if parted, they should 
be removed with a scoop trowel in a careful manner, 
in small tufts, and this business, as well as transplant- 
ing in general, should be always done immediately 
preceding, or after rain, and in cloudy weather. Her- 
baceous plants will not flourish, or flower well, if grown 
in clusters ; they should, therefore, be transplanted 
into the regular beds, at all favourable opportunities, 
after they get to about an inch in length ; and as there 
is always a risk of some plants not taking root, it is 
safest to plant a few of each sort every time, taking 
care to diversify the colours, and also to leave a few 
plants in the seed beds for the purpose of substituting 
in the room of such plants whose period of flowering 
may be over; as is the case generally with early pe- 
rennial plants and bulbs, at about the season that ths 
last of the annuals are fit to remove. 

The transplanting may be done with a small trowel, 
qt a neat dibble made for the purpose. 



20 BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL FLOWER SEEDS 



BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL FLOWER SEEDS. 



G RAINES DE FLEUKS BISANNUELLES ET VIVACRS. 



Those marked || are Biennials. 



Adonis, spring flowering. 
Alpine Columbine, 
Alyssum, yellow, 
Asiatic globe flower, 
Bee Larkspur, 

[j Canterbury Bells, (blue and 
white.) 

Cardinal flower, scarlet, 

Cassia, Maryland, 

Carnation, pink, 

Chinese, imperial pink, 

Clove, do. 

Colutea, scarlet, 

Coreopsis, elegant, 

Coreopsis Lanceolalum, 

Coronet, flowered Lychniss, 

|| Clary, purple topped, 

Crimson Bergamot, 

Columbine, double, 

Dragon's head, 

European globe flower, 

Eupatorium, blue, 

[j Fox-glove, purple, 
Do. white, 

Fraxinella, red, 

Gentian, purple, 

Gentian, Porcelain flowered, 

Gilliflower, many sorts, 

Globe Thistle, 

Hollyhock, black Antwerp, 
Do. China of sorts, 

Do. Engli h do. 

(Honesty, or Satin Flower, 
vy Leaved Toad Flax, 



Adonis vernalis. 
Aquilegia alpina. 
Alyssum saxatile. , 
Trollius Asialicus. 
Delphinium datum. 

Campanula medium. 
Lobelia Cardinalis. 
Cassia Marylandica. 
Dianthus caryophyllus. 

Chinensis. 

hortensis. 
Sutherlandia frutescens. 
Coreopsis grande-jlora. 
Coreopsis lanceolalum. 
Lychnis coionala. 
Salvia sclara. 
Monarda Kalmiana. 
Aquilegia vulgaris. 
Drarocephalum. 
Trollius Europaeus. 
Eupatorium cerulea. 
Digitalis purpurea. 

alba. 
Dictamnus rubra. 
Gentiana saponaria. 
Gentiana adscendens. 
Cheirianthus tncanus % 
Ecki -ops sphoerocephalus*. 
Jillhea Jl. nigra. 
Althta Chinensis, var. 

Anglica, var. 
Lunaria biennis. 
Linaria cymbalaria. 



BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL FLOWER SEEDS. 2l 



Jacob's Ladder, 
Liatris, long spiked, 
Lupin Perennial, 
Lychnis, Dwarf Mountain, 

Do. scarlel, 
London Pride,or Maiden Pink, 
Monks'-hood, 
Monkey-flower, blue, 
Monkey flower, dark spotted. 
Phlox, or French Lilac, 
Pink, pheasant-eyed, 
Perennial Campanula, 
Perennial Larkspur, 
Purple Perennial Flax, 
|| Pyramidal Bell Flower, 
Queen of the Meadows, 
Rose Campion, in varieties, 
Rudbeckia, yellow & purple, 
Sophora, white and blue, 
Sun Flower, perennial, many 

flowering, 
[j Sweet Scabious, 
Sweet Rocket, 
Sweet William, 
|| Sweet Ch.li Marigold, 
Valerian, Garden, 
Valerian, Greek, 
Verbena, purple, 
Veronica, variegated, 
Veronica, tall blue, 
jj Wali Flower, bloody. 



Polemonium ceruleum. 
Li air is spicata. 
Lupinus pcrennis. 
Lychnis Alpina. 

Ch alee donic a. 
D tan thus delta ides. 
Aconitum nape II us. 
M/.mulus ringens. 
Mimulus rivalaris. 
Phlox^ many species. 
Dianthus plumarius. 
Campanula persicafolia. 
De phiuium grand iflorum. 
Linum pcenne. 
Campanula pyramidalis. 
Spiraea ulmaria. 
Agrostemma coronaria. 
Rudbeckia lutea and purpurea. 
Sophora alba and cerulca. 

Helianlhus allisnmus. 
Scabiosa air purpurea. 
Hesperis matronalis. 
Dianthus barbatus. 
Tageles luciJa. 
Valeriana rubra. 
Polemonium ceruleum. 
Verbena purpurea. 
Veronica variega/a. 
Veronica elata cerulea. 
Clieiranthns clieiri. 



(climbing plants.) 

EverlastingPeas, pink £: white Lathyrus latifolius, rosa tf* aib<i, 
Purple Glycine, Glycine apios. 

Scarlel Trumpet Flower, Bignonia radicals. 
Sweet Virgin's Bower, Clematis jlammula. 

Traveller's Joy, vita.ba. 
Virginian Virgin's Bower, Virginiana. 



22 BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL FLOWER SEEDS. 

Biennial and perennial flower seeds may be sown in 
the month of April, in shallow drills. It this business 
be performed in the manner recommended for annuals, 
they can be easily distinguished from each other ; and 
as these plants do not flower the first year, they may 
be thinned out, or removed from the seed beds as soon 
as they are well rooted, and planted either into differ- 
ent parts of the flower beds, or in a nursery bed. if 
the latter plan be adopted, they should be planted in 
rows a foot or more apart, and kept free from weeds 
by means of a small hoe, which will greatly promote 
their growth, and prepare them for transplanting into 
the ground, (where they are intended to flower,) 
either in the autumn or early in the ensuing spring. 
It may be remarked that biennials are raised principally 
from seed sown every year. They seldom • urvive 
the second winter to flower in perfection, unless they 
are renewed by cutting of top shoots, young flower 
stalks, or casual root- offsets, layers, &c. It will be 
unnecessary to take this trouble, unless it be with any 
extraordinary double-flowering plants. Some of the 
perennials may be increased by root offsets detached 
from the old plants, and planted in Spring or Autumn ; 
others by bottom suckers and slips of top shoots, lay- 
ers, and pipings of young shoots, &c. 

Many sorts of biennial and perennial flower seed* 
may be sown in September, or as soon as ripe ; and if 
the plants get strong before the setting in of winter, 
some of them will flower the summer next ensuing. 
The following are amongst the hardiest 



BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL PLANTS. 



23 



Adonis Spring, flowering. 
Alpine Columbine. 
Alyssum, yellow. 
Bee, larkspur. 
Columbine, in varieties. 
Coronet flo wered Lychnis. 
Fox-glove, in varieties. 
Fraxenella. 

Hollyhock, in varieties. 



Lychnis, in varieties. 
Larkspur, perennial. 
Rose Campion, in varieties. 
Rocket, in varieties. 
Scabious, in varieties. 
Valerian, Garden. 
Valerian, Greek. 
Everlasting Peas. 
Virgin's Bower. 



| climbing. 



It may be necessary to state further, that there are 
a great variety of beautiful double- flowering perennial 
herbaceous plants, that will not produce seed ; many 
of these may be obtained of the Florists, and should 
be introduced into the regular flowerbeds; the mode 
of increasing such, is by layers, cuttings, offsets, &c. 
detached from trn old plants. As the earth within the 
flower beds will need to be fresh dug and replenished 
with good compost or manure, once in two or three 
years, it may be necessary to take up all the perennial 
plants at such times. Such roots as may be overgrown , 
should be deprived of their surplus offsets, and may be 
planted in a nursery bed, or returned with the parent 
plants into the regular flower beds. 

In removing plants into the beds where they are 
intended to flower, great pains should be taken to 
preserve some of the earth to the roots, and the ground 
should be previously brought into good condition, so 
that they may strike freely, and produce their flowers 
in perfection. The plants should be so arranged that 
they may all be seen. The most dwarfish may be 
placed in front, and others in a regular gradation to 
the tallest behind ; or the tallest may be planted along 



24 BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL PLANTS. 

the middle of the beds, and the others on each side, 
according to their varied heights and colours. 

There is no part of gardening which requires so 
much elegance of taste and fancy, as in setting of a 
border or bed of intermixed flowers to advantage. In 
assemblage with other flowers, the different kinds of 
hardy bulbs may be planted in small clumps of six, 
seven, or eight inches in diameter, three, four, five or 
more roots in each, according to their size and growth, 
and these at suitable distances from one another. 
Likewise, observe to diversify the kinds and colours, 
so as to display, when in bloom, the greatest possible 
variety of shades and contrasts. 

In my preliminary observations, I directed the 
attention of my readers to some important points 
respecting walks, edgings, &c. — Although box is su- 
perior to any thing else for egdings ; yet in extensive 
gardens, dwarf plants of various kinds may be used 
for such purpose. Thrift is the neatest small evergreen 
next to box; but Violets, Pinks, Periwinkle, Pansey, 
or even Parsley, Thyme, Strawberry plants, &c. may 
be used for the sake of diversity. These will require 
frequent watering and trimming, and the Thrift, &c. 
should be sometimes taken up, divided at the roots, 
and replanted. Box edgings will also require frequent 
pruning and trimming ; and once in from seven to 
ten years, the whole may be taken up, divided and 
replanted, and the surplus slips may be planted in a 
nursery bed in rows about a foot apart ; these will be 
suitable for making edging the year following. 



FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 25 

Flower beds should be kept free from weeds, and 
watered occasionally in the summer. In the autumn 
they should be covered with straw or light litter ; this 
should be taken off in the spring, and the ground 
should be hoed and dressed in such a manner as to 
enliven the earth around the roots of the plants, as 
also to give the whole a neat appearance. # 



FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 

arbrisseaux d'ornement. 

Shrubs are so closely connected with flowering 
plants, and indeed so many of them are embellished 
with flowers, that they may be considered as essential 
to the completion of an ornamental garden. They are 
all perennial, and are divided into two classes, decidu- 
ous and evergreen ; the former lose their leaves in 
the winter, the latter only shed them when others 
are ready to supply their places. Shrubs are not only 
necessary to the embellishment of a flower garden, but 
many kinds of them are eligible for hedges to it, and 
may be planted at a trifling expense. These hedges 
should be frequently trimmed and trained, the sides 
cut even, and the tops sparingly clipped, so as to 
make them ornamental, as well as useful, and also to 
increase the vigour of their growth. When the hedges 
become open or naked at the bottom, they should be 
plashed down ; this is done by cutting the branches 
half through near the ground ; they will then bend 

3 



26 FLOWERING AND ORAMENTAL SHRUBS. 

easily, and may be interwoven with the adjoining 
branches. When Shrubs, Creepers, or Climbers, are 
planted against walls or trellises, either on account of 
their rarity, delicacy, or to conceal a rough fence or 
other unsightly object, they require different modes of 
training; some attach .themselves naturally, as the 
ivy, and merely require to be occasionally guided, so 
as to cause a regular distribution of their shoots ; others 
must be treated like fruit trees, trained thinly, if 
blossoms are the object, and rather thicker, if the in- 
tention be to show the foliage to the greatest possible 
advantage. 

Ornamental shrubs grow from one foot to twelve or 
more in height ; and where such are planted for orna- 
ment, the height of each plant when full grown should 
be considered, and also the mode of growth, that 
every one may be so planted as to show to advantage, 
observing that the tall-growing should be planted in 
the back borders, and those of low growth forward ; 
but if they are required to be planted in clumps, they 
should be so arranged as to rise gradually from the 
sides to the middle, and be afterwards neatly trimmed. 
Shrubs require an annual pruning, at which time, cut 
out all irregular and superfluous branches, and head 
down such as require it, forming them into handsome 
bushes ; apply stakes to such as may need support, 
and see that the low-growing ones do not injure each 
other, nor interfere with other dwarfish plants near 
them. 

Many kinds of Shrubs may be raised from seed sown 



FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 27 



early in the spring, but are more commonly propagated 
by suckers, layers, or cuttings. Like other plants, 
they require a good soil, which should be manured 
every two or three years,, and some of the tender kinds 
should have some protection in winter. The following 
list, taken from an article in the New York Farmer 
and Horticultural Repository, furnished by Mr. Floy, 
contains the most of those usually planted in gardens 
and on lawns. These will furnish a succession of 
flowers from spring until fall, and may be obtained at 
the nursery here at moderate prices. 

Amorpha fruticosa. — Indigo shrub, with handsome 
bunches of purple flowers in great quantities. 

Amygdalus nana, Dwarf double flowering Almond; 
a very beautiful dwarf shrub, about three feet high. 

Aralia spinosa, or Angelica tree, about ten feet high; 
flowers in very large bunches, and continues a long 
season. 

Cytisus Laburnum, or Golden chain; a most elegant 
shrub, with long racemes or bunches of yellow flowers, 
in the greatest profusion ; there are two kinds, the 
English and the Scotch Laburnum. The Scotch is 
the largest, forming a pretty large shrub ; the English 
kind is greener, more compact, and by some, thought 
to be the handsomest; they ought to be in every 
garden. 

Calycanthus Floridus, Allspice or sweet-scented 
shrub, a native of the Southern States ; the flowers 



28 FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS, 

are of a very dark chocolate colour, and the fragrance 
very much resembles ripe strawberries, easily kept 
where once introduced ; this shrub generally grows 
about five feet high in gardens. 

Ceanothus Americanus, Red root, or Jersey Tea 
tree, a plant or two in the collection, as it flowers in 
profusion, is worth having. 

Cercis siliquastrum, or Judas tree. The flowers 
appear very early before the leaves come out, and 
make a fine appearance ; as it grows rather tall, it is 
calculated for the back row of the shrubbery. 

Colutea arborescens, or Bladder Senna, having 
bunches of yellow flowers, which are succeeded by 
seeds in a kind of bladder, calculated for the back or 
centre row of shrubberies. 

Cratoegus oxyacantha, the Hawthorn. It makes a 
pretty appearance planted out singly in the back or 
centre row ; the flowers are very fragrant ; it is some- 
times called the Pride of May; the double white, 
double scarlet, and single scarlet Hawthorn, are ex- 
tremely beautiful, and ought to be in every plantation. 
Hawthorn hedges are much used in England, where 
they look very handsome when kept clipped ; but 
they do not answer so well in this country, the heat of 
our summers causing the leaves to fall off early, often 
in July ; on that account they are not much used. 
We have several things which are better calculated 
for that purpose. 



FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 29 



Cydonia Japonica, or Pyrus Japonica, a very beau- 
tiful scarlet flowering shrub, from Japan, has not been 
in cultivation here for many years. It is found to be 
very hardy, resisting our most severe frosts ; it is ever- 
green, flowers very early, and continues a long time. 
A second flowering takes place in the latter part of the 
summer. It is every way a desirable shrub. 

Daphne mazerium, one of our most early flowering 
shrubs, often flowering in February, and very sweet 
scented. It is rather tender in some situations, but 
will stand our ordinary w inters very well in a sheltered 
situation. 

Dirca palustris, or Leather wood, a pretty little 
shrub, growing very regular in shape, and has the 
appearance of a large tree in miniature ; it is a native 
of our northern states, the flowers appear very early, 
are yellow, and come out before the leaves. 

Gymnocladas canadensis, or Kentucky Coffee tree. 
The berries have a resemblance to coffee, and are said 
to be a good substitute for it ; however, it is a beautiful 
tree, with handsome feathered leaves, and makes a 
fine contrast with others. It should be planted in the 
back or centre of the plantation, and is very hardy. 

Halesia diptera, and Halesia tetraptera, two w T inged 
and four winged Silver Bell, or Snow-drop tree. They 
are both natives of the southern slates, but are per- 
fectly hardy here ; our most severe winters do not 
hurt them. The former kind flowers a month later 
than the latter, which flowers early in May. They 
are both elegant shrubs. 

3* 



30 FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 

Hibiscus Syriacus, fl. pleno. The double flowering 
Althea frutex, of which there are several varieties, the 
double white, double red, double red and white, and 
striped, are the most showy ; they commence their 
flowering late in July, and continue till fall, coming 
in at a very acceptable time. The single kinds, of 
which there are many varieties, are scarcely worth cul- 
tivating, the double ones being raised quite as well, 
and are equally hardy. These are indispensable in 
every plantation. 

Hypericum frutescens, Shrubby Hypericum. There 
are several species of this small beautiful shrub, all 
natives of the southern states, but perfectly hardy here. 
They all flower in the greatest profusion, and continue 
for a long season. They should be planted in the 
front row. 

Kerria Japonica, or Corchorus Japonica, yellow 
Japan Globe flower ; although a native of Japan, like 
many other Japan flowers, it is perfectly hardy here. 
It flowers in the greatest profusion at all times, except 
in the very dead of winter, and will grow almost in 
any soil or situation. 

Koelreuteria paniculata, Japan bladder tree, or 
Koelreterius, This is another hardy shrub from Japan . 
It has long racemes of flowers, succeeded by bladder- 
like fruit, and is worthy of cultivation in every good 
collection. 

Ligustrum vulgare, virens. Large European Pri- 
vet, a very handsome evergreen shrub, flowering in 



FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 31 

great profusion, producing bunches of black round 
berries. It bears clipping well, and is therefore 
well calculated for hedges, or to enclose ornamen- 
tal plantations, ft grows quick, and is well adapted 
to our climate, and when planted in a hedge row, and 
kept clipped, it makes a beautiful hedge, and ought to 
be in more general use. 

Philadelphuscoronarius, or common Syringa, is very 
ornamental, producing its sweet scented flowers early, 
and in abundance, and also sweet -scented Philadelphus 
inodorous, and P. grandiflorus, Garland Syringa, both 
natives of the southern states, but quite hardy here. 
The flowers are large, and they keep their flowering 
for several months in wreaths or garlands ; it is well 
calculated for the centre row, and also to hide unsightly 
objects. It has a beautiful effect when mixed with, 
monthly honey-suckle, &c. 

Persica, or Amygdalus Persica, fl. rosea pleno 5 
or double flowering Peach, is very beautiful in 
shrubberies. It sometimes bears fruit, but it is culti- 
vated entirely for its beautiful blossoms. A few tree& 
also of the Chinese double flowering Apple, (Pyrus 
spectabilis,) have also a beautiful effect. 

Rhus cotinus, Venetian sumach, Aaron's beards 
sometimes called fringe tree, is a fine shrub, calculated 
for the centre of the clump or shrubbery. Its large 
branches of fringe remaining all summer, give it a 
curious and striking effect, 

Xtibes Missouriensis, or Missouri currant ; there are 1 



32 FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 

two species of this very ornamental shrub from Mis- 
souri, introduced by Lewis & Clarke ; they are quite 
hardy, and flower in great profusion. 

Robinia glutinosa, and Robina hispida, the former a 
pretty large shrub, with large bunches of flowers in 
great abundance, the other a smaller shrub ; they are 
both of them worthy of a place in all large collections. 

Robinia pseudo-acacia, or Yellow Locust tree.* This 
is superior to any other kind of wood for ship-trunnels, 
mill-cogs, and fence-posts, as well as for various other 
purposes. Its culture is very easy, and may be pro- 
pagated in great abundance, by sowing the seed in 
March, April, or May, in a bed of good sandy loam r 
which is its favourite soil, and covering half an inch 
deep. Previous to sowing, put the seed in a basin, 
pour on scalding water, and let it stand all night ; pick 
out such seeds as are swollen, and plant them imme- 
diately ; next evening repeat the same process, with 
such as have not swollen the first night, mix the 
whole, and sow them ; they will come up in the course 
of the following month numerously ; for no seeds grow 
more freely, notwithstanding what some may say to 
the contrary. When a year old, transplant them out 
of the seed-bed into nursery rows, four feet distant, 
and plant from plant one foot in the row. Having 
two or three years 5 growth in these rows, they may be 
planted successfully in any warm and tolerably rich 
sandy ground. They may also be propagated by 



* This tree is introduced here rather on account of its usefulness 
than its beauty, though the latter is very considerable. 



FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 33 

suckers, which they throw up abundantly > especially 
if some of the wide-extending roots be cut through 
with an axe. An acre of these trees, planted at two 
feet distant each way, will contain 10,890 ; at four 
feet distant, 2,722 : and it is said that no appropriation 
of land is more lucrative than that devoted to this 
purpose. [The Three Thorned Acacia Seed, (Gle- 
ditschia) should be prepared in the same manner.] 

Sorbus aucuparia, Mountain ash, or Roan tree. — 
This is a very beautiful shrub of the larger size ; the 
leaves are ornamental ; the flowers and fruit, which 
are produced in large bunches, are beautiful; the 
fruit remains till late in the autumn ; it is a native of 
Europe. 

Sorbus Canadensis. This is a native of our northern 
frontiers and mountains; it does not grow as large as 
the former; the berries are smaller and red, the former 
larger and of an orange colour, but otherwise much 
resemble it. 

Spartium junceum, and Genista, two or three spe- 
cies of broom, with bunches of yellow flowers in very 
great profusion; the Genista or Spanish broom has 
white flowers, is also very pretty, but not quite so 
hardy as the former. 

Symphoria racemosa, or Snow-berry, sometimes call- 
ed Snow-apple, a pretty little shrub ; the bunches of 
wax-like white berries which it produces during the 
whole summer, give it a beautiful appearance. 



Syringa vulgaris, or common Lilac, is well known 



34 FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 

to all, and needs no comment. The white variety k 
not quite so common — they are only fit for outside 
plantings, as they sucker very freely, and soon make 
themselves common. 

Syringa Persica, or Persian lilac, is a delicate low 
shrub, the flowers very abundant, and the leaves small 
and delicate. There are two varieties of the Persian 
lilac; the white flowering, and the blue or purple 
flowering. 

The Chinese cut-leaved lilac is very curious ; the 
leaves are cut like Parsley, the flowers growing in 
longer racemes than the former. 

Siberian, or large Persian lilac. The bunches of 
flowers are very large, and continue in season a long 
time after the common lilac. 

Rosa, or roses* a very numerous variety of them ; 
some reckon five or six hundred kinds. They are 
accounted the most beautiful of Flora's productions. 
Perhaps a handsome collection might be made of about 
fifty of the best sorts, which, by taking said quantity. 
I suppose might be obtained at about Mty cents each 
under name ; and generally a fine collection unnamed 
at half that amount. No good garden or shrubbery 
can be without them. 

Tamarix Galica, or French Tamarix, and the Ta ■ 
marix Germanica, German Tamarix, are two pretty 
shrubs ; the leaves and branches are small and slender, 
producing quantities of beautiful flowers, and form a 



FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 35 

very striking contrast to the other part of the shrub- 
bery. 

Viburnum opulus, or Guilder rose, otherwise called 
Snow-ball, is a very showy shrub, with large balls of 
snow-white flowers in the greatest profusion ; and is 
indispensably necessary to every shrubbery. 

Vitex agnus castus, or Chaste tree, a pretty and 
singular shrub, flowering the most part of the summer, 

Bignonia radicans, or Trumpet creeper, with bunches 
of red trumpet-shaped flowers, large and showy. 

Bignonia grandiflora, is much like the former in habit 
and appearance, but the flowers are much larger. It 
is said to be a native of China, and the former a native 
of this country. They are both perfectly hardy, and 
will climb up brick work or wooden fences without 
any assistance. 

Clematis, or Virgin's Bower. There are several 
species, some of them tender, or not sufficiently hardy 
for our severe winters, without protection. The Cle- 
matis Virginica, Viorna, Viticella, and Vitalba, are 
perfectly hardy. 

Glycine Sinensis, or Wistaria Sinensis, is a hand- 
some China creeper of recent introduction from China, 
and is not yet common in our nurseries. It is a 
beautiful vine, running to a great height, and loaded 
with long racemes of purple flowers, and is highly 
spoken of in the Gardener's Magazine. 



36 FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 



American Glycine frutescens, orWistaria frutescens* 
This beautiful brother of the Chinese kind, is a native 
of our Southern states, grows much in the same way 
as the other, and perhaps not inferior. Although this 
fine creeper has been long known in England^ we 
have not heard much about it by English writers ; the 
conclusion seems to be that it does not flower well in 
England. In fact, none of our southern plants do well 
in that country, while those from China do very well 
—here, however, it is quite the reverse. I have the 
Chinese Wistaria Sinensis from fifteen to twenty feet 
long, and the American Wistaria about the same 
height. The Chinese does not look so vigorous and 
green as his American brother. — The American Wis- 
taria should be planted in every garden with other 
creepers, or run up the trees in shrubberies, according 
to its natural disposition. 

Lonicera, comprehending all the fine sweet scented 
honeysuckles ; of the Italian kinds, the monthly honey- 
suckle is decidedly superior, continuing to flower all 
through the summer, until late in the fall, and very 
fragrant. Some of the other European kinds may be 
occasionally introduced in large shrubberies — two or 
three American kinds deserve particular notice. 

Lonicera semper virens, or Coral trumpet monthly 
honeysuckle, is extremely beautiful, flowering the 
whole of the summer, with its thousands of scarlet 
bunches. It is, however, destitute of scent. 

Lonicera Fraseri, also an American p the flowers 



FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 37 

are like the other kind in almost every particular, 
except colour, this being a bright yellow. 

Lonicera, pubescens, or Caprifolium pubescens, a 
large and beautiful honeysuckle from the North-west 
coast ; the flowers are large and of a bright copper 
colour, inclining to orange — they are all perfectly 
hardy. 

Lonicera flexuosa. — Chinese honeysuckle of late 
introduction ; it is perfectly hardy, withstanding our 
most severe frosts without the least injury ; it is a very 
sweet scented honeysuckle, grows rapidly, and to an 
immense height. It flowers in pairs and threes all up 
the branches, covering the whole plant completely 
with flowers. It blossoms spring and fall, and is a 
very valuable acquisition to our gardens and shrub- 
beries. 

Lonicera Japonica, or Japan honeysuckle. This 
bears flowers in great profusion, which are white, 
afterwards becoming of a light yellow. This is not so 
hardy as the former, and requires a little protection in 
winter. 

I shall only add to the above, the running kinds of 
roses, although there are many other things which 
might be mentioned. 

Rosa multiflora, from China, is pretty well known, 
producing thousands of small double red roses in 
bunches. It requires a sheltered situation from some 
of our keen northwesters. Rosa multiflora alba, from 

4 



28 FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 

the same country, is of late importation, but as it in- 
creases readily, may be obtained at about the same 
price as the former ; the bunches of flowers are white. 
Rosa Grivellis, a running rose also from China, the 
flowers of various colours. Rosa rubifolia, Raspberry 
leaved rose, from our northern frontiers, and extend- 
ing over the western country; although a single 
flowering rose, it produces large bunches of flowers, 
which are differently coloured on the same bunch, 
exactly like the former China kind, and is another 
instance of the similarity of plants, natives of China 
and our country. 

Rosa canina fl. pleno. English double dog rose, 
is a very pretty little double rose, and will run to a 
great height. Rosa Banksii, Lady Banks' double 
white China running rose. It runs up, and spreads 
much — it may be easily known from others of the 
running roses, by its being entirely destitute of 
prickles. Rosa Noisette, and Champney's, are said to 
have been raised from China seeds in Carolina — they 
are not strictly running roses, but as they grow up 
tall, are fine ornaments for the shrubbery, flowering 
during the whole of the summer and fall, in large 
clusters. The Madeira rose, or double white cluster, 
musk — It also flowers all through the summer and fall 
months, and is therefore well adapted for the shrub- 
bery. Rosa Cherokensis, called the nondescript, or 
Georgia rose — the flowers are very large and white, 
the centre yellow. This is a running rose, growing 
very high around trees, &c. 

Rosa rubiginosa, or Sweet briar, is too well known 
to need description. 



BULBOUS AND TUBEROUS PLANTS. 39 

Deciduous shrubs may be planted at any time after 
they lose their leaves, and before the buds begin to 
expand in the spring, provided the ground can be 
brought into good condition to receive them ; the 
holes should be dug capacious enough to hold the roots 
without cramping them, and some earth well pulveri - 
sed must be thrown equally among the fibres of the 
roots, which should be well shaken and trodden down 
around the plants, until brought to the level required. 
Evergreens should be removed carefully with a ball of 
earth connected with their roots, and some good mould 
should be provided to fill in with. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE CULTIVATION OF 
BULBOUS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 

These plants exhibit a striking variety of the 
beauties of nature. It would seem as if every 
change she was capable of forming, was included in 
the radiant colours of the Tulip. Never was a cup 
either painted or enamelled with such a profusion of 
tints. Its tinges are so glowing, its contrasts so 
strong, and the arrangement of them both so elegant 
and artful, that it may, with propriety, be denomi- 
nated the reigning beauty of the garden, in its season. 
The Hyacinth is also an estimable flower for its bloom- 
ing complexion, as well as for its most agreeable per- 
fume and variety. 

The Double Dahlia, in its numerous varieties, fc* 



40 



BULBOUS AND TUBEROUS PLANTS. 



inconceivably splendid. It is only about forty years 
since the first of these, which was single, was intro- 
duced into Europe from Mexico. 

Double Dahlias of three colours were first known 
in the year 1802, since that time the varieties have 
so increased, that such as a few years ago were con- 
sidered beautiful, are now thrown away to give place 
to the more splendid sorts. I have good authority for 
stating that upwards of twenty thousand seedlings are 
raised yearly in England, only a few of which are 
introduced into the collection of amateurs, to take the 
place of such old sorts as may from time to time be 
rejected. This is done, in order that none but the very 
choicest be retained in such collections. 

In some gardens in Holland they cultivate, by dis- 
tinct names, about eleven hundred varieties of Tulips, 
thirteen hundred of Hyacinths, and six hundred of 
Ranunculuses and Anemones, some of which are sold 
as high as sixty dollars the single root. It is stated in 
the travels of Mr. Dutens, of his having known ten 
thousand florins, equal to $4000, refused for a single 
Hyacinth, and Dodsley says, in his Annual Register 
for 1765, that the Dutch of all ranks, from the greatest 
to the meanest, during the years from 1634 to 1637 
inclusive, neglected their business to engage in the 
Tulip trade. Accordingly, in those days, the Viceroy 
was sold for £250, the Admiral Lief keens ,£440, and 
Semper Augustus at from £500 to £1000 each, and also 
that a collection of Tulips was sold by the executors 
of one Wouter Broekholsmentser for ,£9000. It is stated 



BULBOUS AND TUBEROUS PLANTS. 41 

that in one city in Holland, in the space of three years% 
they had traded for a million sterling in Tulips. 

As a full catalogue of all the varieties of Bulbous 
and Tuberous-rooted plants would occupy a number of 
pages, without affording much general interest, I shall 
content myself by devoting a short paragraph in de- 
scribing some of each particular species, which will be 
accompanied with directions for their culture, in a 
brief, and, at the same time, explicit manner. 

It may be here necessary to define the difference 
between Bulbous and Tuberous roots. Those desig- 
nated Bulbous, have skins similar to Onions, or the 
Allium tribe ; and Tuberous roots imply all such a,s 
produce tubes something similar to Potatoes. 

The soil for Bulbous and Tuberous roots in general 
should be light, and yet capable of retaining moisture, 
not such as is liable to become bound up by heat, or 
that in consequence of too large a portion of sand, is 
likely to become violently hot in summer; but a 
medium earth between the two extremes. But as 
many city gardens do not contain a natural soil of any 
depth, a suitable compost should be provided in such 
cases, which may consist of about equal parts of sand, 
loam, rotten manure, mould, &c. 

When ready, the beds may be laid out, from three 
to four feet wide, and they should be raised two or three 
inches above the level of the walks, which will give 
an opportunity for all superfluous moisture to run off . 
Let the beds thus formed be pulverised to the depth 
of fifteen or eighteen inches, and at the time of planting, 



4* 



42 BULBOUS AND TUBEROUS PLANTS. 

let a small quantity of beach sand be strewed in 
the apertures or trenches, prepared for the roots to 
grow in, both before and after placing them, which 
will prove beneficial. 

A southern exposure, ,,dry and airy, and sheltered 
from the north-west winds is preferable for most bulbs. 
But Anemones and Ranunculuses should be in some 
measure sheltered from the intense heat of noon. 

Beds of hardy bulbous and tuberous roots should be 
covered on the approach of winter with litter, leaves, 
straw, or such earth as is formed by the decay of 
leaves, to the depth of two or three inches, as it pre- 
vents any ill effects which a severe season may have 
on the roots ; but it should be carefully raked off again 
in the spring. 

Bulbous roots in general should be taken up in about 
a month or six weeks after the bloom is exhausted ; 
the foliage or leaves then turn yellow. If fine warm 
weather, the bulbs may be dried on the beds they 
grew on, by placing them in separate rows, being 
careful not to mix the several varieties together. To 
prevent such an accident, labels may be affixed to, or 
placed in the ground opposite each bulb — they will 
keep much better for being dried gradually ; to this 
end, a little dry earth may be shaken over them, to 
screen them from the heat of the sun. If it rain before 
they get dry, take them in, or cover them with boards ; 
when dry, clear them of the fibres and stem, and then 
put them away in dry sand ; or wrapped in paper, 



43 BULBOUS AND TUBEROUS PLANTS. 

they may be kept in boxes or drawers until the season 
of planting again. 

The tender tuberous roots, such as Dahlias, and the 
like, will have to be taken up before the cold becomes 
severe. As the Dahlia exhibits its flowers in all their 
splendour, until nipped by the frost, the roots ought, 
in the event of a very sudden attack, to be secured from 
its blighting effects. They are not apt to keep well, 
if taken up before they are ripened ; the tops should, 
therefore, be cut down as soon as they have done 
flowering, and the ground covered around the roots, 
with dung or litter ; this will enable them to ripen 
without being injured by frost ; and in about a week 
after being cut down, or on the appearance of severe 
weather, they should be dug up and packed in dry 
sand, and then stowed away in a dry place out of the 
reach of frost. The temperature suited to keep green- 
house plants will preserve them in good order. Some 
people complain of the difficulty of keeping Dahlia 
roots through the winter. I am of opinion that they 
are often killed from being taken up before they are 
ripe, and then put in a confined damp place ; or are 
by some, perhaps, subjected to the other extreme, and 
dried to a husk. I keep mine on shelves in the 
greenhouse, and seldom lose one in a hundred. If it 
be an object with the cultivator to have the names 
perpetuated from year to year, each plant should have 
a small label affixed to the old stalk, by means of small 
brass wire, as twine is very apt to get rotten. 

Cape Bulbs, and such tuberous roots as are culti- 



44 



AMARYLLIS* 



vated in pots, on account of their tenderness, should be 
kept dry after the foliage is decayed, until within 
about a month of their period of regerminating ; at 
which time they should, after having been deprived of 
their surplus offsets, be repotted in good fresh earth. 

There are some descriptions of bulbous and tuber- 
ous roots that need not be taken up oftener than once 
in two or three years, and then only to deprive them 
of the young offsets, and to manure the ground. These 
will be described hereafter under their different heads. 

In the articles which follow, I have named the pre • 
ferable season for planting the various kinds of bul- 
bous and tuberous roots ; but as some bulbs will keep 
in good condition several months, there can be no ob- 
jection to retaining such out of the ground, to suit any 
particular purpose or convenience. 



DIRE CTIONS 

FOR THE CULTIVATION OF 

BULBOUS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 

Amaryllis. Of this genus of flowering bulbs there 
are about eighty species, and upwards of one hundred 
varieties ; they are natives of South America, and in 
Europe are generally kept in the hot-house ; some of 
the varieties are hybrids, produced by cultivation; 
these succeed very well in the green-house, and in this 



AMARYLLIS. 



45 



country we frequently have very perfect flowers in 
the borders. A few of the choicest varieties are as 
follows : 

Amaryllis Aulica, or Crowned Amaryllis, is one of 
the most beautiful ; it produces four flowers, about 
seven inches diameter, on an erect stem, about two 
feet and a half high, with six petals of green, crimson, 
and fine transparent red colours. 

A. Ballota, produces three or four rich scarlet flowers 
on the stem, each about five inches in diameter ; there 
are two or three varieties of this species, all beautiful. 

A. Johnsoniensis. The stem of this variety rises 
about two feet, and exhibits four beautiful scarlet 
flowers, with a white streak in the centre of each petal, 
each flower about six inches diameter. It sometimes 
produces two stems* 

A. Longifolia, or Crinum Capense, is perfectly 
hardy ; it flowers in large umbels of a pink colour, 
inclining to white, and is a good garden variety. 

Amaryllis Formosissima, or Jacobean Lily, produces 
a flower of great beauty, although a low-priced plant. 
It throws out gracefully its glittering crimson-coloured 
petals, which have a brilliancy almost too intense for 
the eye to rest upon. 

The A. Lutea produces its bright yellow flowers in 
October, in the open air ; but the bulb requires a little 
protection in the winter, or it may perish . 



46 ANEMONES, AND RANUNCULUSES. 

The most suitable soil for Amaryllises is a clean new 
earth, taken from under fresh grass sods, mixed with 
sand and leaf mould ; the latter ingredient should form 
about a third of the whole, and the sand about a sixth. 
Some of the varieties may be planted in pots during 
the month of April, and others will do very well in 
the open ground if planted early in May, in a sunny 
situation. The bulb should not be set more than half 
its depth in the ground ; as, if planted too deep, it will 
not bloom, the plant deriving its nourishment only 
from the fibres. When the bulbs have done flowering, 
such as are in pots should be watered very sparingly, 
so that they may be perfectly ripened, which will 
cause them to shoot stronger in the ensuing season, 
and those in the ground should be taken up and pre- 
served in sand or paper. 

Anemones & Ranunculuses. These are medium, 
or half-hardy roots, producing beautiful little flowers 
of various hues, and are highly deserving of cultiva- 
tion. These roots should be planted in a fresh, well 
pulverised, loamy soil, enriched with cow dung. If 
planted in the garden, the beds ought not to be raised 
above one inch higher than the alleys, and the surface 
should be level, as it is necessary, for the prosperity of 
these plants, rather to retain than to throw off mois- 
ture. The plants will generally survive our winters.; 
but it is always safest to plant them in such a manner 
that a temporary frame of boards can be placed over 
them, when the weather sets in severe ; and if they 
are to be shaded while in flower, the posts intended for 
the awning may be fixed in the ground at the same 



CROCUSES AND CROWN IMPERIAL. 47 



time ; these will serve to nail the boards to, and thus 
answer two purposes. 

Anemones and Rununculuses may be planted in 
October or November, in drills two inches deep, and 
six inches apart; the roots should be placed claws 
downwards, about four inches distant from each other, 
and covered up, leaving the bed quite level. The 
awning need not be erected over the beds until they 
come into flower, w T hich will be early in May. 

Crocuses. — These are hardy little bulbs, said to be 
natives of Switzerland. There are in all about fifty 
varieties of this humble, yet beautiful little plant, em- 
bracing a great variety of hues and complexions, and 
their hardiness and earliness in flower offer a strong 
motive to their cultivation. The bulbs may be planted 
in October or November, in rows about six inches 
from the edgings ; or if in beds, they may be placed in 
ranks of distinct colours, about four inches apart, and 
from one to two deep, which will afford to their ad- 
mirers considerable amusement and gratification, and 
that at a very early season. They are generally in full 
perfection early in April. 

Crown Imperial. — This is a species of the genus 
Fritillaria, of which there are about twenty species 
and varieties, chiefly natives of Persia. These squa- 
mose bulbs produce tall luxuriant stems, embellished 
with green glossy foliage, and flowers of various hues ; 
but there are only a few of the most curious cultivated, 
perhaps on account of their odour, which, to some 



48 COLCHICUM AND DOUBLE DAHLIA. 

persons, is disagreeable. They are, however, very 
hardy, and produce singular and showy flowers, in 
April and May, suited to make a variety to the flower 
border, in which they may be planted in August and 
September, from three to four inches deep ; they need 
not be taken up every year as other bulbs, and when 
they are, which may be about every third year, they 
ought not to be retained too long out of the ground 
before they are again planted as before. 

Colchicum. — This curious little bulb, being planted 
in the month of June, about two inches deep, produces 
its flowers in October, it then dies, without leaving 
any external appearance of seeds ; they, however, lie 
buried in the bulb all the winter, and in spring, pro- 
duce a stalk with seeds, which get ripe by the first of 
June, just in time to plant for flowering in the ensuing 
autumn. How wonderful are the provisions of nature ! 

Double Dahlia. — This may, with propriety, be 
denominated one of the most important perennial 
tuberous-rooted plants that can be introduced into a 
garden ; and from the circumstance of its having 
become so fashionable of late years, I have felt anxious 
to furnish in this work a very select list ; I, therefore, 
applied to Mr. G. C. Thorburn, who, from a regular 
correspondence with connoisseurs, both in England 
and America, is acquainted with all the most rare and 
beautiful varieties. He has kindly furnished a list 
and description of about sixty of the choicest, some of 
which are deemed extra fine ; to these I have added 
about a hundred more, all of which are pre-eminent 



DOUBLE DAHLIA. 



49 



and not a few of them have taken prizes at the English 
and American exhibitions. In making this selection, 
several superb varieties are omitted, not because they 
are undervalued, but for the sake of brevity, which, 
in a work of this kind, must be consulted. Those 
marked A, are considered the very tallest, six feet and 
upwards. Those marked B, from five to six feet. 
Those ranging between four and five'feet, are marked 
C, and the dwarfs are marked D. This plan is adopted, 
because it is difficult to ascertain the exact height 
they will grow to, even in one uniform soil and situa- 
tion. The descriptions that follow having been taken 
by different persons, whose soils and situations are 
also various, a difference in the height of the plants, of 
a foot or more, may sometimes be observed. Those 
marked * obtained the greatest number of prizes at 
the various Floricultural and Horticultural exhibitions 
in Great Britain. There are, perhaps, a hundred more 
in this list not far beneath them, and some equally 
worthy of the star or asterisk, but none are marked 
except those which won ten prizes and upwards. 

CATALOGUE OF DOUBLE DAHLIAS. 

Amanda, delicate pink, C 
Agrippina, mottled, with rosy lilac, [superb,] - D 

Aurantia Pallida, beautiful orange and red, - C 

Aurantia Speciosa and Speciosissima, both beautiful fine 

orange, Q 
Anne Boleyne, shaded lilac and white, - - D 
Altro Purpurea, two varieties, superba and spediosa, C 
Agamemnon, (Widnall's), rich ruby with fine cupped petals,C 
Barrett's Susannah, exquisite purple, flower very compact, A 
Brewer's Rose d' Amour, deep rose tip'd with white [excellent] A 
Brewer's Peerless Orange, scarlet orange, - C 

Beauty of Chiswick, scarlet, B 

5 



50 



DOUBLE DAHLIA. 



* Beauty of Sheffield, edged, (eleven prizes were obtained for this 

flower last year) in England, 

* Belladonna, a new shaded flower, won eleven prizes. 
Buchanan's Compacta, a most perfect formed blight crimson, 

[extra fine,] ----- D 
Bona Dea, fine orange scarlet, B 
Brewer's Sulphurum Majestum, delicate yellow, - C 
Black Princej{Widnairs), rich dark crimson with black stiipes,C 

* Blanda, or Blush Lilac, beautiful lilac, won eleven prizes, B 
Beauty of Camden, extra fine ruby, - - B 
Camellia Flora Alba, snow white, very perfect, [superb,] C 
Columbine, vivid scarlet, - - - - B 
Crimson Multiflora, crimson, - - - D 

* Countess of Liverpool, crimson scarlet, [extra fine,] A 

* Criterion (a new edged flower,) won ten prizes in England 
Cicero, beautiful crimson, C 
Camellia, black puce, C 
Colvell's Perfecta, fine purple, B 

* Coccinea Speciosissima and Coccineas Speciosa, both bright 

scarlet, B 
Coronation, crimson maroon, B 
Carmine Orange, [extra fine,] C 
Canary, fine yellow, - - D 

Daniel G'Connell, orange scarlet, - - C 

Duchess of Richmond, extra fine scarlet, - C 

Douglas's Augusta, beautiful purple, very large flower, A 
Desdemona, pure white, B 
Dennisii, ruby purple, [extra fine,] B 
Diana, (Widnall's,) beautiful pink, B 
Donna Maria De Gloria, (Young's), bright rosy crimson, 

[very perfect,] ----- C 
Duchess of Braganza, (Young's,) white and lilac with red 

margin [superb,] - - - - D 

Erecta, fine crimson with black stripes, - - D 
Earl Grey, (Miller's,) shaded lilac, - - C 

Emperor of the Yellows, (Sally's,) superb yellow, A 
Earl of Chichester, (Young's,) dark purple, finely striped with 

lilac, - - - - - D 

Fulgida Perfecta, large crimson, B 
Furnes Purpurea, variegated purple striped, - D 



* 21 prizes were obtained for the Countess of Liverpool, in 
England last year, and 12 for the Coccinea Speciosissima. 



DOUBLE DAHLIA. 51 

Fair Ellen, fine pink and lilac, [superb,] - - C 

Fimbriata Alba, pure white, - C 

Foster's Premier, fine rosy, . " " " B 

Foster's Constanlia, carmine or crimson, - - B 

Foster's Niagara, very dark, coloured, - C 

Fair Devonian, beautiful rose pink, [extra fine,] - D 

Golden Yellow, fine yellow, ... a 

Grandiflora, puce purple, - - - A. 

Globe Crimson, ball-flower, quilled, - D 

Groombridge's Matchless, fine large purple, [superb,] - B 

Golconda, ( VVidnall's,) white spotted, [extra fine,] - C 

Grand Duke of Tuscany, fine black puce, - - C 
Guttata Major, white with purple spots, (extra large flower,) B 

Hermione, beautiful blush, .< - C 

♦Harpalyce, white, won eleven prizes, - - A 

Hall's Mogul, dark purple, - B 

Henry the Eighth, dark maroon, ... q 

Hall's Palmyra, beautiful plum colour, - B 

* Incomparable, (Levick's,) scarlet, tipped with white, B 
Incomparable, (Foster's,) beautiful scarlet, - - B 
Inapproachable, pure carmine, [splendid,] - C 
Imogene, fine variegated, - D 
Involute Purpurea, crimson purple, - D 

* Inwood's Springfield Rival, dark rosy crimson, with singu- 

larly beautiful cupped petals, - A 

Jonquille, (Widnall's) fine lemon colour, - A 

Juliet, rosy lilac, J) 

Jaune Insurmountable, yellow, - B 

Juno, superb lilac, C 

King of Dahlias, pure white, edged with 'rose pink, [superb,] C 

* King of the Whites, delicate paper white, first rate, - B 
King of the Yellows, (Cutbush's) delicate yellow, - B 
King Alfred, (Miller's) delicate rose lilac, C 

* Lord Derby, a first rate dark coloured Dahlia, won 11 prizes, B 

* Lord Liverpool, very dark purple, [excellent,] - A 

* Lady Grenville, beautiful rose coloured, - C 

* Levick's Commander-in-Chief, crimson, with black stripes, A 
Lady Grey, beautiful shaded rose, .... q 
Lady Fordwich, beautiful blush, - C 



WL - lnwood ' s Springfield Rival won 15 prizes, the King of the 
Whites 27, the Lord Liverpool 15, the Lady Grenville 15. Levick's 
Commander-in-Chief, 15, and his Incomparable 11, 



52 



DOUBLE DAHLIA. 



Landgravine, rosy mottled with white, D 

* Levick's Lord Milton, beautiful orange, won 11 prizes, - B 
Linn's Fine Striped, lilac and crimson, [superb,] - A 
Lass of Richmond Hill, beautiful scarlet, - - - B 
Lord John Russell, scarlet ball, [extra fine,] - - B 
Lord Brougham, dark velvet purple, B 
Levick's Mozart, extra fine crimson, ----£) 

Laura, white, with lilac edge, D 

Lady Sefton, beautiful rose coloured, C 

Lady Fitzharris, fine crimson, C 

Miss Pelham, fine lilac, [beautiful,] B 

Maculatum, white, with purple spots, £X 

Man of Kent, fine rich purple, [superb,] C 

* Maid of St. Leonard's, beautiful bufij B 
Metropolitan, fine rose coloured, - - - - D 
Metropolitan striped, fine dove colour, beautifully striped, C 

Miss Dickson, fine lilac, A 

Magnet, (Wells's) fine ruby, - - - - - C 

Matilda, pencil blush, [beautiful,] D 
Marchioness of Abercorn, superb blush, [new,] - - ' C 

Nonpareil, (Widnall's) very compact pink flower, - C 

Neptune, ( Widnall's) exquisite lilac, very large flower, C 

NymphaB Flora, white spotted, - C 

Ne Plus Ultra, light purple, C 

New Scarlet Turban, bright Fcarlet, C 

Navarino, rich purple, G 

Negro Superb, very dark, C 

Negro Boy, jet black, D 

Othello, (Widnall's) superb dark purple, D 

* Paper White, white, C 

* Priestly's Enchantress, white and red, beautifully mottled, D 
Phillis (Widnall's) fine rosy lilac, with cupped petals, - D 
Pavonia, pencilled straw, C 
Prince George of Cumberland, fine crimson, C 
Pygmea, beautiful shaded rose, -._.£) 

Pulla, dark purple, - - D 

Pencilled White, white spotted with purple, B 

Princess Augusta, shaded purple, B 

Paroquet, cream and crimson, [extra fine,] C 

* Picta Formosissima, light orange, with beautiful'scarlet stripes,B 
Paul's Rival, brilliant scarlet, C 



* The Maid of St. Leonard's won 10 prizes; the Paper 
White, 11 ; Priestly's Enchantress, 12; Picta Formosissima, 14, 



DOUBLE DAHLIA. 



63 



Paganini. very dark and fine, - - - - D 

Perfection, (Wells's) rose blush and white, [excellent,] - C 

Polyphemus, large crimson purple, D 

Purpurea Elata, fine purple, C 

* Glueen of Dahlias, white, with rosy lilac edge, [superb,] C 

* Glueen of the Whites, (Dennis's) paper white, very large, B 
Glueen of Wurtemburg, mottled purple, B 
Glueen Adelaide, (Connelly's) fine bright scarlet, - B 

Glueen of the Yellows, yellow, B 

Glueen of the Purples, plum colour, A 

Glueen of Roses, (Widnall's) rose coloured, very fine, - C 

Glueen of Sheba, (Wells's) fine deep yellow, - - D 

Glueen of Belgium, white, elegantly tipped with purple, C 

Glueen of August, beautiful light purple, C 

Romulus, large scarlet, B 

* Royal Lilac, fine lilac, won 12 prizes, C 
Royal Dwarf Change, scarlet orange, C 
Rising Sun, (Widnall's) extra fine scarlet, - - - A 
Richardson's Alicia, white spotted, [beautiful,] - - D 
Star of Sussex, splendid scarlet, C 
Seale's Invincible, dark maroon, with bright crimson stripes, C 
Scarlet Ranunculus, fine scarlet, C 
Sulphurea Majeritum, fine yellow, A 
Striata, white, with purple stripes, [beautiful,] - - C 

* Shannon, (Levick's) large crimson, won 10 prizes, - A 

Stephania, fine dark maroon, D 

Surpass Triumph Royal, rosy lilac, C 

Squibb's Pure Yellow, very delicate yellow, - - B 

Squibb's Master-Piece, fine scarlet, C 

Transcendanta, delicate French white, C 

Theodore, delicate lilac, ------ C 

Widnall's Cleopatra, beautiful blush, lilac, D 

Widnall's Salamander, scarlet, extra large flower, - A 

Widnall's Comus, fine brilliant yellow, - C 

* Widnall's Prince of Orange, beautiful orange, A 

* Widnall's Jason, bright yellow, - C 

* Widnall's Perfection, beautiful rosy lilac, with cupped petals, C 

* Widnall's Granta, purple, with cupped petals, C 



* The Glueen of the Dahlias won 24 prizes, and the Glueen of 
the Whites 10. Widnall appears to have been the champion for 
Dahlias ; his Prince of Orange won 20 prizes, his Jason 15, his 
Perfection 25, and his Granta 15; he also took several prizes for 
others in this list. 

5* 



54 



DOUBLE DAHLIA. 



Widnall's Aurora, fine scarlet, - - C 

Widnall's Flora, fine quilled rose 3 - - - - £) 

Wells's Dwarf Yellow, bright yellow, D 

William the Fourth, (Barret's) fine scarlet, C 

Zelinda, beautiful purple, D 

Nothing is more simple than the cultivation of these 
plants. In March or April, the roots, if properly 
kept through the winter, will begin to sprout around 
the old stems and tubers. To forward these sprouts 
in growth, the roots should be either buried in light 
earth, on the top of a moderate hot-bed, or else potted, 
and then set into a warm room, or green-house, and 
watered. As soon as the shoots have grown to the 
length of two or three inches, the roots may be divided 
in such a manner as to have a good strong shoot 
attached to a piece of the tuber, or old stem ; each of 
these will, if properly managed, make a plant. Those 
who may commence cultivating at an early season, 
should put the plants thus separated into small pots, 
and keep them in a growing state until about the 
middle of May, at which time they may be turned out 
of the pots with the balls of earth entire, and planted 
in the open borders, from three to four feet from each 
other. Let the ground be well pulverised, and en- 
riched with good old manure, before the plants are set 
out. If the top soil be shallow, and the subsoil infe- 
rior, it would be beneficial to the plants, if holes be 
dug to the depth of from a foot to eighteen inches, and 
then replenished with good rich compost, consisting of 
two-thirds fresh loam, and one-third of well-rotted 
manure. 

Many cultivators have found late planting to suit 



DOUBLE DAHLIA. 



55 



better than early, and I myself had more perfect flowers 
last year, from plants set out about the middle of June, 
than from those planted in May : this is easily ac- 
counted for. In July and August the weather wag 
remarkably hot, which brought the forwardest plants 
into bud at an early season, and in consequence of a 
continuation of hot dry weather, such buds failed to 
produce perfect flowers ; whereas those plants which 
were set out late, kept growing through the hot wea- 
ther ,^and produced their buds just in time to receive all 
the benefit of the autumnal rains. From a consideration 
of these facts, I think early in June the safest time to 
set out Dahlia plants ; and if those persons who have 
no convenience of forcing their roots, set them out in 
May, in ground prepared as before directed, they will 
generally succeed very well, provided they take care 
to cover them in case of a cold change of weather. 
The roots may be thus cultivated entire, as is fre- 
quently done ; but if it be desired to have them parted, 
this business is easily accomplished without disturbing 
the roots, and the offsets may be planted in the ground 
separately, or potted. 

After the plants have grown about two or three 
feet high, it will be necessary to provide for their pre- 
servation through the varied changes of the season, or 
a sudden gust of wind may destroy the expectations of 
a year. The branches of the Dahlia are extremely 
brittle, and, therefore, a good stout pole, or neat stake, 
should be driven down near each root, of a suitable 
height, so that the branches, as they progress in 
growth, may be tied thereto at every joint, which 



56 GLADIOLUS, OR SWORD LILT. 



may be done with shreds of matting or twine. If the 
poles be in readiness, they are much more easily fixed 
at the time of planting the Dahlias than afterwards ; 
but it may be done at any time after the ground has 
been softened by rain, provided it be not delayed too 
long, so as to to subject the plants to risk. Sometimes 
a few forward buds of the Dahlia will exhibit their 
premature beauties to the beams of a July and August 
sun ; but their lustre is quickly dimmed. The latter 
end of September, sometimes all October, and part of 
November, witness the Dahlia in all its glory ; and 
dwarf plants, cultivated in pots, will sometimes blos- 
som at Christmas. 

Gladiolus Corn Flag, or Sword Lily. Of 
this genus of bulbs there are about 50 species, natives of 
the Cape of Good Hope. They produce flowers of various 
colours, in August and September, and are well worthy 
the attention of those who cultivate tender exotic plants. 
They may be planted in September or October, about 
an inch deep in pots, which must be kept in a green- 
house or light room, and watered sparingly until they 
begin to grow. The following are known to be superb 
species and varieties : 

G. Alatus, or Wing Flowered, producing bright 
orange coloured flowers. 

G. blandus, produces flowers of a beautiful blush 
rose colour. 

G. byzantinus, or Turkish Flag, has large delicate 
purple'flowers. 



GLADIOLUS. 



57 



G. cardinalis. This variety produces very large 
flowers, of superb scarlet colour, spotted with white. 

G. floribundus, or Cluster Flower, produces large 
flowers, of pink and white colour. 

The Gladiolus natalensis, or psittacinus, is perhaps 
the most desirable to cultivate of all others. It blos- 
soms freely, and the colours are exquisitely beautiful. 
In its progress of blooming, it exhibits variable colours > 
as vermilion, red, yellow, green, white, crimson, &c. 
which brighten, as the flower arrives at perfection, to 
the brilliancy of a rainbow. Another good quality 
displays itself in the bulb, which, if properly managed, 
will yield an abundance of offsets ; these being culti- 
vated, will flower the third year in perfection, and 
thus continue to multiply perpetually. 

I have named September and October as the season 
for planting, because it is considered the preferable 
season for most bulbs ; but if these be preserved in 
good condition through the winter, until early in 
April, and then planted in a soil consisting of about 
one half fresh loam, equal parts of leaf mould, and 
sand well mixed, they may be forwarded in a warm 
room, greenhouse, or moderate hot-bed, until settled 
warm weather, and then turned out of the pots into 
a border, where they can be shaded from the sun at 
noonday ; this will induce each of them to throw up 
three or four stems from three to four feet high, each 
stem producing five or six gorgeous blossoms, in great 
perfection. Those planted in the fall or winter, may 
also be turned out of the pots in June ; and, from the 



58 



HYACTNTH. 



fibres having taken substantial root in the soil before 
transplanting, such plants may be taken up again in 
August, or early in September ; and on being planted 
in large pots, they may be removed, so as to perfect 
their bloom, within view of the parlour or sitting-room, 
which will afford considerable amusement and gra- 
tification. 

Hyacinth. — There are, as has been already stated, 
about thirteen hundred varieties of this family of 
plants, comprising all the various hues, as white, 
pink, red, yellow, blue, purple, crimson, &c, and 
some of those with various coloured eyes. They begin 
to produce their flowers in the open borders early in 
April, on short erect stems covered with florets or 
small bells ; each floret is well filled with petals rising 
towards the centre, and is suspended from the stem by 
short strong footstalks, the longest at the bottom, and 
the uppermost florets stand so erect as to form a 
pyramid. A plantation, or a bed of these, have a very 
beautiful appearance, provided they are well attended 
to. In planting them, which should be in the months 
of October or November, care should be taken to have 
the colours so diversified as to suit the fancy ; they 
may be placed in short rows across the bed, about eight 
inches apart, and from three to four inches deep, 
measuring from the top of the bulb, and covered up at 
the setting in of winter, as before recommended for 
bulbs in general. Those who may have a fine collec- 
tion, should have an awning erected in the Spring, to 
screen them from the chilling blast, and also from 
drenching rains and the noonday sun ; and they should 



IRIS, OR FLOWER DE LUCE. 



69 



be looked over as soon as they make their appearance 
above ground, to see if they are all perfect and regu- 
lar ; if any faulty or inferior ones should appear to 
have been planted in a conspicuous part of the bed, by 
accident or mistake, they can be taken out, and by 
shortening the rows, others may be substituted with 
a trowel. When all are regulated, look over them 
frequently, and as the stems shoot up, tie them to 
wires, or small rods, with shreds of bass matting or 
thread, being careful not to injure the florets. In 
about six weeks after they have done flowering, they 
may be taken up, and managed as recommended for 
bulbs in general in a former page. 

Iris, or Flower de Luce. — There are two dis- 
tinct species of plants cultivated under the name of 
Flower de Luce, each consisting of several varieties. 
The bulbous species and varieties are designated as 
English, Spanish, Persian, Chalcedonian, and Ameri- 
can. These, if introduced into the flower borders, and 
intermixed with perennial plants of variable colours, 
have a very pretty appearance when planted in 
clumps or patches. This may be done in the month 
of October, by taking out a spadeful of earth from 
each place allotted for a plant, and then inserting three 
or four bulbs, about two inches deep. If the ground be 
poor, some rich compost may be dug in around the 
spot before the bulbs are planted, and if several sorts 
be planted in the same border, let them be of various 
colours. 

The tuberous-rooted are of various colours, as blue, 
yellow, brown, and spotted ; they are easily cultivated, 



60 IXIASj JONQUIL, AND LACHENALIAS. 

and flower freely in a loose soil inclining to moisture, 
if planted in March or April. 

Ixias. — These are tender but very free-flowering 
bulbs, producing from their stems, which vary in 
height from six inches to two feet, very delicate 
flowers of various colours, as orange, blush, white, 
purple, green, crimson, scarlet, and some have two 
and three colours connected in the same plant. There 
are, in all, upwards of twenty species, which may be 
cultivated in the greenhouse, by planting the bulbs in 
pots in September or October, and placing them near 
the light, and then watering them sparingly until they 
begin to shoot. 

Jonquil. — This is a hardy race of bulbs, and pro- 
duces very delicate yellow flowers early in May. 
There are different varieties, some of -which are single 
flowering and others double. Their fragrance is very 
grateful, being similar to that of Jasmines. The bulbs 
may be planted about two inches deep in the flower 
borders, or in pots, in October, or before the setting in 
of winter ; they flower better the second year than in 
the first, and, therefore, should not be moved and re- 
planted oftener than once in three years. 

Lachenalias.- These are tender little bulbs, 
natives of the Cape of Good Hope. There are sup- 
posed to be in all, about forty species and varieties. 
Those most cultivated with us, are the Lachenalia 
quadri-colour, and the tri-coloured^ which are very 
beautiful when in full bloom, exhibiting flowers of 



LILIUM. 



61 



various colours, on a stern of from six inches to a foot 
in height, and much in the character of Hyacinths. 
The colours which are yellow, scartet, orange, green, 
&c, are very pure and distinct. L. nervosa, L # 
orchoides, L. punctata, and L. rubida, are all ex- 
cellent species, and worthy of cultivation. They 
may be planted from one two inches deep, in small 
pots, in the Month of August and September, and 
watered but sparingly until they begin to grow. 

Lil j um . — There are several plants unci ei this name, 
of different genera, some of which are indigenous. 
The Canada Lily, with yellow-spotted drooping 
flowers, may be seen in wet meadows to wank the 
last of June and early in July. The Philadelphia, 
Lily blooms also in July ; its flowers are red. Th re 
are some pure white, and others yellow, growing in 
various parts of the country. Among the foreign 
genera are several species. Of the Martaj ox 
Turks '-cap Lilies, there are some beautiful 
ties ; as the Caligula, which produces scarlet 
and there is one called the Crown of Tunis, 
colour; besides these, are the Double Violet ] 
the White, the Orange, and the spotted : thes 
hardy, and may be planted in various pari 
garden, by taking out a square foot of earth, and 
after manuring and pulverising it, the bulbs m 
planted thereinbefore the setting in of winter, at < 
rent depths, from two to four inches, according 
size of the bulbs. Some of the Chinese varieties 
very beautiful, as the Tiger, or Leopard Lily, and 1 
Dwarf Red Lilium con colour ; there are others wii 

6 



82 



NARCISSUS. 



elegant silver stripes, which are very showy, and 
there is one called Lilium superbum, that has been 
known to have twenty -five flowers on a stalk. Be- 
sides those above enumerated, there are some others 
which are generally cultivated in greenhouses, as the 
Calla, or Ethiopian Lily ; and the following, which 
have been known to endure our winters, by protecting 
them with dung, &c, Lilium Longiflorum, in two va- 
rieties; these produce on their stalks, which grow 
from twelve to eighteen inches high, beautiful rose- 
coloured flowers, streaked with white, wh *ch are very 
sweet-scented. These roots are sometimes kept out 
of the ground until spring, and then planted in the 
flower borders, but they should be preserved carefully 
in sand, or dry light mould. Lilium Japonicum. Of 
these there are two varieties, which produce several 
stalks at once, yielding very showy flowers. One of 
the varieties is blue-flowered, and the other produces 
flowers of the purest white. 

Narcissus. — The species and varieties of this plant 
are numerous. The Incomparable is perfectly hardy, 
and produces its flowers in April, which are called by 
some pasche, or paus flowers, by others, butter and 
eggs ; perhaps because their bright yellow petals are 
so surrounded with large white ones. Some dislike 
the smell of these, and it is said that the odour has a 
pernicious effect upon the nerves ; but the white fra- 
grant double, as well as all the Roman and Polyan- 
thus Narcissus, are free from this objection, being of a 
very grateful and agreeable smell. Some of these are 
justly held in great esteem for their earliness, as well 



ORNITHOGALUM. 



63 



as for their varied colours. The Grand Monarque de 
France, the Belle Legoise, and some others, have 
white flowers with yellow cups. The Glorieux has a 
yellow ground, with orange-coloured cups ; besides 
these there are some white and citron-coloured, as the 
Luna, and others entirely white, as the Reine Blanche, 
and Morgenster. All these varieties are very suitable 
either for the parlour or greenhouse, and may be 
planted in pots, from October to December, from two 
to three inches deep. The Double Roman Narcissus 
are very sweet-scented ; if these be planted in pots, or 
put into bulb glasses in the month of October, they 
will flower in January and February. 

Polyanthus Narcissus are more delicate than Hya- 
cinths or Tulips ; when they are planted in the open 
borders, they should be covered about four inches with 
earth, and before the setting in of winter, it is advisable 
to cover the beds with straw, leaves, or litter, to the 
depth of six or seven inches, and to uncover them 
about the middle of March. 

Ornithogalum, or Star op Bethlehem. — 
There are about fifty varieties of these bulbs, natives 
of the Cape of Good Hope, some of which are from 
three to five inches in diameter, and shaped similar to 
a pear ; others are much like Hyacinth bulbs. — 
Amongst those cultivated in America are the O. lac- 
teum and the O. aureum ; the former produces fine 
white flowers, and the spike is about a foot in length ; 
and the latter produces flowers of a golden colour, in 
contracted racemose corymbs. The O. maritimum, or 



64 



OXALIS AND PJEONY. 



Sea Squill, is curious ; from the centre of the root arise 
several shining glaucous leaves, a foot long, two inches 
broad at the base, and narrowing to a point. If kept 
in a greenhouse, these are green during winter, and 
decay in the spring ; then the flower-stalk comes up, 
rising two feet, naked half way, and terminated by a 
pyramidal thyrse of white flowers. These bulbs are 
generally cultivated in the greenhouse, and require a 
compost consisting of about one-half fresh loam, two- 
sixths leaf mould, and the remainder sand, in which 
they may be planted in September. When cultivated 
in the garden, they should be planted four or five 
inches deep, and protected with dung, &c. They pro- 
duce their flowers early in June. 

Oxalises. — These are natives of the Cape of Good 
Hope ; the species are numerous, and their roots are 
very small bulbs, articulated, jointed, or granulated, 
in a manner peculiar to this genus. They produce 
curious flowers of various hues, yellow, purple, rose, 
red, white, striped, vermilion colour, &c. The bulbs 
should be planted in very small pots in August and 
September, in a compost, consisting of about two-thirds 
loam, and one-third leaf or light mould, and treated in 
the same manner as other Cape Bulbs. They increase 
in a peculiar manner, by the parent bulb striking a 
fibre down from its base, at the extremity of which is 
produced a new bulb for the next years 5 plant, the old 
one perishing. These plants will flower freely in a 
greenhouse. 

P^eony,— -Of this genus of splendid plants there 



FMONY. 



are known to be about twenty species, and as many 
varieties. It is said that the Paeonia officinalis rubra, 
or common double red Paeony, was introduced into 
Antwerp upwards of two centuries ago, at which time 
it was sold at an enormous price. It has since been 
highly esteemed in Europe and America, and is to be 
found in all well-established gardens, exhibiting its 
vivid crimson petals early in June. Many superb 
species have of late years been brought from China, a 
few of which may be noticed, with some others which 
are in very great repute. 

Paeonia alba Chinensis, is one of the finest of the 
herbaceous sorts. The flowers are white, tinged with 
pink at the bottom of the petals. 

P. edulis whitliji has also white flowers, which are 
very large and splendid. 

P. edulis fragrans, is a fine large double scarlet 
variety, and produces flowers perfumed like the rose. 

P. Humei has beautiful large double dark blush- 
coloured flowers. 

P. paradoxa fimbriata, produces fringed double -red 
flowers, which are very beautiful. 

These are all hardy, and may be planted about four 
inches deep in the garden, in October or November. 
The flowers exhibit themselves to the best advantage 
when planted on a bed that is elevated, and of a cir- 
cular form. 



TULIP. 



The following are half-hardy and half-shrubby \ 
these have been known to survive the winter by being 
well protected, but are kept much better in a green- 
house ; and they also exhibit their flowers to greater 
advantage than when exposed to the full sun : 

P. moutan Banksii, or Tree Pseony, produces very 
large double blush flowers in abundance, with feathered 
edges to every petal. This variety is highly deserv- 
ing of cultivation. 

P. moutan rosea is a fine rose-coloured double va- 
riety, and produces very splendid flowers. 

P. moutan papaveracea produces large double 
white flowers, with pink centres. This splendid va- 
riety frequently bear flowers from nine to eleven 
inches in diameter. 

Besides the above, are several others of various 
colours, some of which are semi-double. 

Tulip. — The Tulip is a native of the Levant, and 
has been in cultivation nearly three centuries. It 
may be justly entitled the King of Flowers, for the 
brilliancy and endless combination of all colours 
and shades. The varieties of the Tulip are very nu- 
merous, and are divided into different classes. Those 
cultivated in regular beds by amateurs are rose-co- 
loured, Bybloemen, and Bizarres. There are a great 
many beautiful varieties, denominated Parrot Tulips, 
which have notched petals, and striped, or diversified 
with green ; and also some very dwarfish kinds, both 



TULIP. 



07 



single and double, which are generally cultivated in 
parlours and greenhouses. 

Mr. T. Hogg, of Paddington, near London, has 
published a work, entitled, cc A Treatise on the Cul- 
ture of Florists' Flowers, 55 which comprises the Tulip, 
Carnation, Auricula, Ranunculus, Polyanthus, Dahlia, 
German China Asters, Seedling Heartsease, and New 
Annuals. In that work, which is dedicated to Queen 
Adelaide, the author remarks that the cultivation of 
the Tulip is one of the most fascinating and pleasing 
pursuits imaginable, and that when the " Tulip 
mania has fairly got hold of any one, it sticks to him 
like the skin on his back, and remains with him for 
the rest of his life. 55 He instances a Mr. Davey, of 
Chelsea, as being in his seventy-fifth year, and in 
whose breast the fancy for Tulips was so predominant, 
that in the autumn of 1832 he was induced to part 
with a hundred sovereigns for one single Tulip, named 
" Miss Fanny Kemble. 55 Perhaps a better definition 
of what constitutes the properties of a good Tulip 
could not be given than a description of this <c precious 
gem, or loveliest of all Tulips ; 55 but, lest my readers 
should conclude that the old gentleman was in his 
dotage, I would inform them that this favourite bulb 
was purchased of the executors of the late Mr, Clarke, 
with whom it originated, and that it had not only 
been the pet of its late owner, but had excited the 
envy and admiration of all the amateurs who went to 
view it. 

" This precious gem, a Bybloemen Tulip, was raised 



6S 



TULIP. 



from one of Mr. Clarke's seedling breeders, and broke* 
into colour three years ago ; it has produced two off- 
sets since, and is adapted to the second or third row in 
the bed ; the stem is firm and elastic ; the foliage full 
and broad, of a lively green ; the cup large, and of the 
finest form; the white pure, and wholly free from 
stain ; the pencilling on the petals is beautifully 
marked with black or dark purple, and the feathering 
uniform and elegant ; it preserves|its shape to the last, 
the outer leaves not sinking from the inner ; in a 
word, it is considered the first flower of its class, and 
the best that has ever been produced in England. ' ■ 

The article in the work already alluded to, on the 
cultivation of Tulips alone, occupies ninety-six pages; 
I, therefore, cannot attempt any thing more than an 
abridgement of the author's ideas on some important 
points. Those of my readers who may desire full in- 
formation, are referred to the work itself, which may 
be obtained of Mr. G. C. Thorburn. 

The following description may serve to govern the 
choice of amateurs : Tulips exhibited at the shows 
are, in general, classed and distinguished as follows : 
Flamed Bizarres^ Feathered Bizarres, Flamed By- 
bloemens, Feathered Bybloemens, Flamed Roses, 
Feathered Roses, and Selfs, or plain coloured. 

A Bizarre Tulip has a yellow ground, marked with 
purple or scarlet of different shades ; it is called flamed 
when a broad irregular stripe runs up the middle of 
the petals, with short abrupt projecting points, branch-- 



TULIP. 69 

ing out on each side ; fine narrow lines, called arched 
and ribbed, often extend, also, from this broad stripe 
to the extremity of the leaves ; the colour generally- 
appearing strongest in the inside petals ; a Tulip, 
with this broad coloured stripe, which is sometimes 
called beamed or splashed, is, at the same time, 
frequently feathered also. 

It is called feathered when it is without this broad 
stripe ; but yet it may have some narrow lines, joined 
or detached, running up the centre of the leaf, some- 
times branching out and carved towards the top, and 
sometimes without any spot or line at all ; the petals 
are feathered more or less round the edges or margin, 
inside and out, the pencilling or feathering is heavy 
or broad in some, and light or narrow in others, some- 
times with breaks or gaps, and sometimes close, and 
continued all round. 

A Bybloemen Tulip has a white ground, lined, 
marked, striped, or variegated with violet or purple, 
only of various shades ; and whether feathered or 
flamed, is distinguished by the same characters and 
marks which are pointed out and applied to the Bi- 
zarred Tulips. 

A Rose Tulip is marked or variegated with rose, 
scarlet, crimson, or cherry colour, on a white ground ; 
and the Feathered Rose is to be distinguished from 
the Flamed by the same rules, as described before ; 
the Rose is very often both feathered and flamed. 

A Self, or Plain-coloured Tulip, properly so called* 



70 



TULIP. 



is either white or yellow, and admits of no farther 
change ; other plain-coloured Tulips, whether red or 
purple, are called breeders, and are hardly worthy 
of being exhibited. Mr. Hogg informs us, that £100 
say $500, judiciously expended at the present time, 
will give a moderate-sized bed that shall contain the 
greater part of the finest varieties grown ; such a bed 
as £250 would not not have purchased twelve or 
fourteen years ago. To describe minutely the mode of 
planting a regular bed of Tulips would exceed our 
limits ; suffice it to state that the name of every bulb 
should be written in a book, and that they should be 
so classed as to have all the varied colours to show 
advantageously ; to this end, the tallest should be 
allotted for the middle of the bed, and others in regular 
gradation, so as to have the most dwarfish on the sides. 
The bulbs must be covered with good mould, to the 
depth of three inches from the top of the bulb on the 
sides of the bed, and about four inches in the middle. 
Let a small spoonful of clean drift sand be used around 
each bulb, and see that the bed be left sufficiently 
round from the middle to the edges. The beginner 
must understand that no unsightly tallies, or number 
sticks, are to distinguish the Tulips ; but that he must 
adopt a sort of ground plan, dividing the whole bed 
into rows of seven bulbs across ; for example, take and 
write down the names and places of the Tulips in the 
first row, and continue the same form all through_ta 
the other end of the bed. 



TULIP AND TUBEROSE. 71 





Row 1st. 




Kn 1 


j? eneion, - - - * 


this is a ByDloeroen. 


o 


Tin pVi fee c\f C^.\a y&y\oc* 


I< r\ca—f*r\ 1 nn i*a ri 
XvUoc-tUIUUIcU . 


3. 


Charlemagne, - - - 


Bybloemen. 


4. 


Louis the Sixteenth, - 


Bybloemen. 


5. 


Memnon, - - - - 


Bizarre. 


6. 


Volney, - - - - 


Bybloemen. 


7. 


Lady Crewe, - - - 


Rose-coloured. 



Good fresh loam, taken from under healthy grass 
sods, is the most suitable soil for Tulips to grow in ; 
under which should be buried, to the depth of a foot, 
about two inches thickness of well rotted cow or horse 
droppings. The reason for placing the dung so low 
is, that the fibres may get down to it, (which they will 
do,) and that the bulbs may not be injured by it, as is 
apt to be the case if too much dung is used around 
them. The best time for planting the bulbs, is early 
in November, and the beds should be made a fortnight 
previous, in order that the earth may become sufficient- 
ly settled. If severe frosts set in after the Tulips show 
themselves above ground in the spring, some protec- 
tion should be given ; single mats placed over hoop 
bends answer very w T ell ; and at the time of blooming, 
an awning should be erected over them, sufficient to 
screen the Tulips from the intense heat of the sun, 
which awning should be sufficiently spacious to admit 
of persons walking under, to view the beautiful flow- 
ers to the greatest possible advantage. 

Tuberose. — This fragrant and delightful flower 
has been cultivated] in English flower gardens for 



72 



FIGEK FLOWER. 



upwards of two centuries ; with them, the bulbs are 
generally cultivated in pots, early in the spring, and 
transferred to the flower borders as soon as it beeomes 
settled warm weather ; for they are very tender. 
They generally succeed very well here, if planted at 
once in the open borders towards the end of April, and 
produce flowers which are pure white, and highly 
odoriferous, on a stem from three to four feet high. 
The bulbs produce a number^of offsets, which should 
be preserved with the parent plants through the 
winter, and then parted off and planted by themselves 
in April or early in May, to produce flowering roots 
for the ensuing year. These roots thrive best in a 
light rich soil well pulverised, in which they should be 
planted about two inches deep, not forgetting to take 
them up again before the approach of winter. 

Tiger Flower. — Perhaps thereis no flower treated 
of in this work, that is more beautiful than some of the 
species of the genus Tigridia. Like all Mexican bulbs, 
these are tender, and should either be cultivated in the 
greenhouse, or carefully preserved until settled warm 
weather, and then planted in good light soil, in a 
sheltered situation. A bed of these beautiful flowers 
would afford as much gratification to some as a bed 
of Tulips. The Tigridia conchiiflora is of a rich 
yellow colour, tinged and spotted with white crimson ; 
the colours are very vivid and purely contrasted. The 
Tigridia pavonia is of the brightest scarlet, tinged and 
spotted with brilliant yellow. The coralla, which is 
about four inches in diameter, is composed of six 
petals ; the outer petals are thrown backward, and 



TIGER FL0WEK. 



73 



exhibit the blossom in all its splendour, which exists 
only a single day ; but as if to compensate for its 
transient visit, each plant will produce numerous 
flowers ; and where a bed of them can be collected, 
they will amuse their admirers for several weeks, from 
July to September. In such a case, the bulbs may 
be planted about two inches deep, and from twelve to 
fifteen inches apart, towards the end of April or early 
in May, and taken up again in October, to preserve 
for planting the ensuing year. 



OBSERVATIONS 

ON THE 

CULTURE OF BULBOUS ROOTS, IN POTS OR 
GLASSES, IN THE WINTER SEASON. 

The culture of bulbous roots in a greenhouse, or light 
room, during the winter, is comparatively easy, pro- 
vided two points be attended to ; the first is to keep 
them near the light, and to turn the pots or glasses 
round frequently, to prevent their growing crooked ; 
and the second is, when the plants have done growing, 
to give those in pots little or no water; for want of 
attention to these points, bulbs have been known to 
produce foliage, year after year, without showing any 
blossoms. All bulbs have a certain period of the year 
in which they are in a dormant state ; this, in a state 
of nature, is invariably after the seeds are ripened ; 
but as in a greenhouse, many of this family do not 

7 



74 ; CULTURE OF BULBOUS ROOTS IN ROOMS. 

ripen seeds, the cultivator should watch the period 
when the leaves show indications of decay ; at which 
time, the supplies of water should be lessened, and 
shortly afterwards the earth should be suffered to get 
dry, and to remain so until the season returns, when 
the bulbs regerminate. Many sorts of bulbs are best 
kept in pots, under the soil, in a dry shady place, and 
in the same temperature as that in which th ey are 
in the habit of growing ; but others, such as Hyacinths, 
Tulips, Narcissus, &c. may be taken out of the soil and 
preserved, as before directed, until the proper season 
for replanting. 

Dutch Bulbous roots intended for blooming in pots 
during the winter season, should be planted during 
the months of October and November, and be left 
exposed to the open air until it begins to freeze, 
and then be placed in the greenhouse, or in a room 
where a fire is usually made. They will need moderate 
occasional waterings, until they begin to grow ; then 
they should have abundance of air in mild weather, 
and plenty of water from the saucers, underneath the 
pots, whilst in a growing state ; and should be ex- 
posed as much as possible to the sun, air, and light, 
to prevent the foliage from growing too long, or 
becoming yellow. 

For this purpose, single Hyacinths, and such as are 
designated earliest among the double, are to be pre- 
ferred. Single Hyacinths are generally held in less 
estimation than double ones, their colours, however, 
are more vivid, and their bells, though smaller, are 



CULTURE OF BULBOUS ROOTS IN ROOMS* 75 

more numerous ; some of the finer sorts are exquisitely 
beautiful ; they are preferable for flowering in winter 
to most of the double ones, as they bloom two or three 
weeks earlier, and are very sw r eet-seented. Roman 
Narcissus, Double Jonquilles, Polyanthus Narcissus, 
Double Narcissus, and Crocuses, also make a fine 
appearance in the parlour during winter. It is a re- 
markable circumstance of the Crocus, that it keeps its 
petals expanded during tolerably bright candle or 
lamp light, in the same way as it does during the light 
of the sun. If the candle be removed, the Crocuses 
close their petals, as they do in the garden when a 
cloud obscures the sun ; and when the artificial light 
is restored, they open again, as they do with the 
return of the direct solar rays. 

Hyacinths and other bulbs intended for glasses, 
should be placed in them about the middle of Novem- 
ber, the glasses being previously filled with pure 
water, so that the bottom of the bulb may just touch 
the water ; then place them for the first ten days in a 
dark room to promote the shooting of the roots ; after 
which expose them to the light and sun as much 
as possible. They will blow, however, without any 
sun ; but the colours of the flowers will be inferior. 
The water should be changed as often as it becomes 
impure ; draw the roots entirely out of the glasses, 
rinse off the fibres in clean water, and also the glasses 
inside ; care should be taken not to suffer the water to 
freeze, as it not only bursts the glasses, but often causes 
the fibres to decay. Whether the water be hard or 
soft is of no great consequence ; but soft, or rain water, 
is generally preferred, and it must be perfectly clear. 



76 CULTURE OF BULBOUS ROOTS IN ROOMS. 

Forced bulbs are seldom good for any thing after- 
wards ; however, those who wish ; to preserve thern 3 
may immerse them wholly in water for a few weeks ; 
and then having taken them up, and dried them in 
the shade for a few days, they may be planted in a 
good soil, when they will sometimes flower the second 
year. It does not clearly appear in what way the 
water operates when the bulb is wholly immersed ; 
but it is certain that bulbs so treated increase in size 
and solidity by it, and have an incomparably better 
chance of flowering the second year, than those which 
have not been so treated. Most probably their total 
immersion enables them to obtain a greater proportion 
of oxygen from the water. 

Nosegays should have the water in which their ends 
are inserted changed, on the same principle as bulbous 
roots ; and a much faded nosegay, or one dried up, 
may often be recovered for a time, by covering it with 
a glass bell, or cup, or by substituting warm water for 
cold. 

Very fine Hyacinths have been grown in a drawing 
room, in the following novel manner. A quantity of 
moss, classically called hypnum, and vulgarly fog, 
was placed in a water-tight box, about eight or nine 
inches deep, into which the bulbs were placed at the 
end of September, without mould, and duly watered. 
The result of this experiment was highly favourable; 



MANAGEMENT OF GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 77 



OBSERVATIONS 

ON THE 

GENERAL MANAGEMENT OP GREENHOUSE 
PLANTS. 

Having already exceeded my limits, I am compelled 
to be brief in my observations on such ornamental 
plants as are generally cultivated in hot and green- 
houses. This description of plants embraces those 
which are collected from various climates, and thrive 
best in a temperature and soil similar to that in which 
nature first produced them : hence they who propagate 
exotic plants, must provide suitable composts, and also 
separate departments, where the different degrees of 
heat may be kept up, according to their nature and 
description. Some of these are raised from seed sown 
in the spring, others by layers, suckers, and offsets 
detached from the old plants, and many by slips and 
cuttings, planted at different seasons of the year, ac- 
cording to their varied natures, and state of the plants. 
Many kinds require the aid of glass coverings and 
bottom heat, created by fresh horse dung, tan, &c. 

Were I to attempt to give directions for the propa - 
gation of all the varieties of useful and ornamental 
exotic plants cultivated in various parts of our country, 
it would require an entire volume. The catalogue of 
greenhouse plants alone kept by the enterprising pro- 
prietor of the Linnean Botanic Garden at Flushing, 
occupies fifty pages of close matter ; it would, there- 
fore, be impossible to do justice to the subject, without 



7B MANAGEMENT OF GREENHOUSE PLANTS, 

dividing upwards of two thousand varieties of plants 
into classes, according to their varied natures, and 
treating of them under distinct heads ; I shall, there- 
fore, not attempt, in this edition, to write largely on 
the subject. 

In order to render this little work useful to those 
who may wish to avail themselves of the pleasure of 
nursing some of those beauties of nature in their own 
dwelling-houses, during the most chilling days of our 
severe winters, and to afford amusement to the ladies, 
at a season when our gardens are deprived of their 
loveliest charms, I shall discuss some essential points 
connected with the management of greenhouse plants, 
in as explicit a manner as possible. 

The following hints were selected for the first edition 
of the Young Gardener's Assistant, and appear to the 
author to embrace the most important points connected 
with the care of plants in the winter season. 

The generality of those denominated greenhouse 
plants, and which are kept in rooms, should be placed 
where they can have the light of the sun, without 
being exposed to frost. Air, heat, and moisture are 
essential to the growth of plants ; but these should 
be given in due proportions, according to circumstan- 
ces. In frosty weather they should be kept from the 
external air, and watered very sparingly. When 
water is necessary, it should be applied in the morning 
of a mild sunny day. The plants should be kept free 
from decayed leaves, and the earth at the top of the 



MANAGEMENT OF GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 79 

pots should be sometimes loosened to a moderate depth, 
and replenished with a portion of fresh compost. 
Plants kept in private houses are often killed with 
kindness. The temperature of a room in the winter 
need not be more than ten degrees above freezing. If 
plants are healthy, they may be kept so by attention 
to the preceding hints ; unhealthiness generally arises 
from their being subjected to the extremes of heat, cold, 
or moisture, or from total neglect. 

In order that the ideas above advanced may be duly 
considered, it may be useful to indulge in a more 
minute description of the nature of plants, and to show 
in what manner tne elements operate upon them. It 
is an acknowledged fact, that the roots of plants re- 
quire moisture, and therefore penetrate the earth in 
search of it, and that the plants themselves are greatly 
nourished by air, and spread their branches and leaves 
to catch as much as possible its enlivening influence. 
Light also is so far essential, that there can be no 
colour without it ; witness the blanching of celery and 
endive, where the parts deprived of light become 
white ; place a plant in almost any situation, it wiH 
invariably show a tendency to turn to the light ; the 
sunflower is a striking example of this singular fact 
As the leaves supply the plant with air, and the fibres 
of the roots supply it with nourishment, to strip off the 
leaves or destroy the fibres, is to deprive it of part of 
its means of support. Having shown that air and 
water are essential to vegetation, and light to its 
colour, experience shows us that heat, in a greater or 
less degree, is not less necessary to the growth of 



80 MANAGEMENT OF GREENHOUSE PLANTS , 

plants ) it is therefore requisite, that in taking; plants 
into our rooms, we should attend to these particulars. 

The internal structure of plants is composed of 
minute and imperceptible pores, which serve the same 
important purpose in the vegetable as veins in the 
animal system ; they convey the circulation of the sap 
in the former, as the veins do that of the blood in the 
latter ; but it is by no means settled as yet by physio- 
logists how the food of plants is taken up into the 
system and converted into their constituent parts. 

From the foregoing considerations and facts, it is 
evident, that, as air, heat, and moisture, are each es- 
sential to vegetation, that water should only be given 
in proportion as heat and air are attainable. In the 
summer season green-house plants may be exposed 
to the open air, from the early part of May, until the 
end of September, by being placed on the ledges of 
windows, or on a stand erected for the purpose, or in the 
absence of a nursery bed of flowering plants, they 
may be introduced into the regular flower-beds, to 
supply the place of such plants as may wither and die 
in course of the summer, by being turned out of the 
pots and planted, or plunged in the earth with the 
pots. 

In the heat of the summer season, plants generally 
require water every evening, and in the absence of 
dews, the earth about their roots may sometimes need 
a little early in the morning ; but experience shows, 
that the roots of plants more frequently get injured from 



MANAGEMENT OF GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 81 

being soddened in water, than from being kept mode- 
rately dry. Having before intimated that exotic plants 
will generally thrive best in a temperature and soil 
similar to that in which nature first produced them, it 
may be necessary to remind the reader, that we have 
the means of attaining suitable composts from our own 
soils, and from sand, decayed leaves, rotten dung, 
and various kinds of peat, bog, and rock mould ; these 
ingredients being judiciously mixed and prepared, 
may be suited to all the various kinds of plants, and 
should be used as occasion requires. As the roots of 
plants make considerable growth in the course of a 
summer, it will be necessary to examine them by 
turning them out of the pots ; this may be done early 
in September, at which time all matted and decayed 
roots should be pared off, and the plants shifted into 
larger pots, which being filled with suitable compost, 
and watered, will be ready to be removed into the 
house on the approach of cold nights, which is gene- 
rally early in October. 

Green-house plants require an annual pruning, and 
should be occasionally headed down, in order that 
their size and appearance may be improved ; the best 
time for doing this is soon after they have done flow- 
ering, and while they are in a growing state. Having 
endeavoured to furnish my readers with the artificial 
means of preserving tender plants in a climate foreign 
to that which nature has provided for them, I shall 
call their attention to another class of plants well cal- 
culated for the windows of a house. 

I allude to the many beautiful varieties of the Chi- 



82 



CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 



nese Chrysanthemum ; these are frequently cultivated 
in pots, and may be taken from the ground and put 
into pots, even when in full flower, without injury, 
and when the bloom is over, returned to the garden. 
In the spring following, they will throw up an abun- 
dance of suckers. 

The following list consists of some of the best varie- 
ties of the Crysanthemum, and are entitled to a place 
in every flower garden. In October and November, 
when the waning year has left our gardens compara- 
tively cheerless, these with their various colours, deck 
them out in gaiety, and prolong the semblance of 
summer. They are perfectly hardy, and will brave 
our severest winters. 



CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 



Jlower on the same plant. Double lndianyellow,swperk 

Purple. Double Indian white, superb 

Lilac quilled. Brown purple. 

Rose coloured, or pink. Early Blush. 

Lilac and white, changeable ; Golden lotus. 
the Jlowers vary to lilac, to Gluilled purple. 

white with a purple centre^ j Starry purple. 

and to pure white. \ Park's small yellow, beau- 

Dark crimson, or Spanish ! tiful. 
brown. Gluilled salmon. 

Straw coloured quilled. Semidouble quilled pale 

Golden yellow. orange. 
Tasselled white. Two coloured red. 

Superb do. Curled buff, or salmon., 

Semidouble quilled do. Large lilac. 

Paper do. Late pale purple. 




CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 



S3 



Q,uilled flame yellow. 
Sulphur do. 
Superb clustered do. 
Small do. 

Single flame yellow. 
Gtuilled pink. 
Semidouble quilled do. 
Gtuilled orange. 
Semidouble quilled do. 
Early crimson. 
Curled lilac. 



Two coloured incurved. 

Blush ranunculus. 

Late quilled purple. 

Tasselled lilac. 

Tasselled yellow. 

Yellow waratah. 

Pale lilac. 

Large buff, superb, 

Barclay's. 

Aiton's. 

Sabine's. 



Chrysanthemums may be propagated from seed and 
cuttings, and each plant will produce several suckers, 
which may be separated every spring ; as the flowers 
are liable to be injured by the rain in autumn, it is 
advisable to take up a few plants, and place them in a 
light room or green-house, which will preserve them 
for some time. 

Many people keep their late-blooming plants in the 
house through the winter ; this is a bad practice, as 
the heat and want of air will exhaust or destroy the 
plants altogether. If the flowers fade before hard frost 
prevails, it is best either to plunge the pots into the 
ground with the plants, or turn them out of the pots, 
and plant them, with the balls of earth entire, into the 
borders of the flower garden. Early in May, such as 
may be intended for potting the ensuing season, should 
be divided at the roots, if not potted and planted, each 
kind separate. One single stem is sufficient for a mo- 
derate sized pot, if the object be to have bushy plants ; 
but if showy plants are desired, one of each of the 
varied colours may be selected for each pot, which 
should be sufficiently capacious to hold them without 
crowding them, as this will cause the plants to grow 



84 



THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. 



weak and slender. If this happens early in the sum- 
mer, a stocky growth may be produced by clipping; 
the tops, and they will bloom in great perfection at 
the usual season. 



The following articles were first written for the 
American Gardeners' Magazine ; and from their con - 
geniality to the subject matter of this book, the author 
has been induced to lay them before his readers. The 
first article exhibits the order of the flowery tribe, per- 
haps better than it could have been done in any other 
way ; and the latter may be considered worth keeping 
in print, and is respectfully submitted by the author 
as an appendage to the flower garden : — 

THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. 



APRIL. 

" Descend, sweet April, from yon watery bow, 
And liberal strew the ground with budding flowers, 
With leafless crocus, leaf- veiled violet. 
Auricula, with powdered cup, primrose 
That loves to lurk below the hawthorn shade.' 5 

It is generally admitted that the month of April 
gives the most perfect image of spring ; for its vicissi- 
tudes of warm gleams of sunshine and gentle showers 
have the most powerful effect in hastening the uni- 
versal springing of the vegetable tribes, from whence 



THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. 



S5 



the season derives its appellation. Next comes the 
favourite month of the year in poetical description, 

MAY. 

" For thee, sweet month, the groves green liv'ries wear ; 

If not the first, the fairest in the year ; 

Thou dost afford us many pleasant hours, 

While Nature's ready pencil paints the flowers." 
The pious Hervey, in his meditations on the flower 
garden, has furnished us many sublime ideas respect- 
ing the order, variety, and beauty of the flowery tribe. 
It is in vain to attempt a catalogue of those amiable 
gifts. There is an endless multiplicity in their cha- 
racters, yet an invariable order in their approaches. 
Every month, almost every week, has its peculiar 
ornaments ; not servilely copying the works of its 
predecessors, but forming, still forming, and still exe- 
cuting, some new design : so lavish is the fancy, yet 
so exact is the process of nature. Were all the flowery 
tribe to exhibit themselves at one particular season, 
there would be at once a promiscuous throng, and at 
once a total privation. 

We should scarcely ha ve an opportunity of adverting 
to the dainty qualities of half, and must soon lose the 
agreeable company of them all. But now, since every 
species has a separate post to occupy, and a distinct 
interval for appearing, we can take a leisurely and 
minute survey of each succeeding set. We can view 
and review their forms ; enter into a more intimate 
acquaintance with their charming accomplishments, 
and receive all those pleasing sensations which thei 
are calculated to yield. 

8 



86 THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. 

_ Before the trees have ventured to unfold their leaves^ 
and while the icicles are pendant on our houses, the 
snow-drop breaks her way through the frozen soil, fear- 
less of danger. Next peeps out the crocus, but cautious- 
ly, and with an air of timidity, She shuns the howling 
blasts, and cleaves closely to her low situation. 
Nor is the violet last in the shining embassy, which, 
with all the embellishments that would grace a royal 
garden, condescends to line our borders, and bloom at 
the feet of briars. Freely she distributes the bounty 
of her emissive sweets, while herself retires from sight, 
seeking rather to administer pleasure than to win ad- 
miration. Emblem, expressive emblem, of those 
modest virtues, which delight to bloom in obscurity. 
There are several kinds of violets, but the fragrant, 
both blue and white, are the earliest. Shakspeare 
compares an exquisitely sweet strain of music to the 
delicious scent of this flower : 

" O ! it came o'er my ear like the sweet south, 
That breathes upon a bank of violets, 
Stealing and giving odour.'' 

The pious Hervey, in his admonitions to those who 
indulge in sloth, has thrown out the following sublime 
ideas : " What sweets are those which so agreeably 
salute my nostrils ? They are the breath of the flow- 
ers, the incense of the garden. How liberally does 
the jasmine dispense her odoriferous riches ! How 
deliciously has the woodbine embalmed this morning 
walk ! The air is all perfume. And is not this 
another most engaging argument to forsake the bed 



THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. 87 

of sloth ? Who would be dissolved in senseless slum- 
bers, while so many breathing sweets invite him to a 
feast of fragrancy — especially considering that the 
advancing day will exhale the volatile dainties ? A 
fugitive treat they are, prepared only for the wakeful 
and industrious- Whereas, when the sluggard lifts 
his heavy eyes, the flowers will droop, their fine 
sweets be dissipated, and instead of this refreshing 
humidity, the air will become a kind of liquid fire. 

With this very motive, heightened by a representa- 
tion of the most charming pieces of morning scenery, 
the parent of mankind awakes his lovely consort. 
There is such a delicacy in the choice, and so much 
life in the description of these rural images, that I 
cannot excuse myself without repeating the whole 
passage. Whisper it, some friendly genius, in the ear 
of every one, who is now sunk in sleep, and lost to all 
these refined gratifications f 

" Awake f the morning shines, and the fresh field 
Calls you : ye lose the prime, to mark how spring 
The tended plants, how blows the citron grove ; 
What drops the myrrh, and what the balmy reed ; 
How Nature paints her colour, how the bee 
Sits on the bloom, extracting liquid sweets." 

How delightful is this fragrance ! It is distributed 
in the nicest proportion ; neither so strong as to op- 
press the organs, nor so faint as to elude them. We 
are soon cloyed at a sumptuous banquet; but this 
pleasure never loses its poignancy, never palls the 
appetite. Here luxury itself is innocent ; or rather 



88 THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. 

in this case, indulgence is incapable of excess. This 
balmy entertainment not only regales the sense, but 
cheers the very soul ; and, instead of clogging, elates 
its powers." 

Our subject is so enchanting, that we had inadver- 
tently wandered from the path we first entered. We 
now retrace our steps, and take a glance at surrounding 
objects* The fields look green with the springing 
grass. See the daffodil how it spreads itself to the 
wind ! The leaves of honey-suckles begin to expand, 
and lilacs, or syringas, of various hues, unfold their 
buds. The almond exhibits its rosy clusters, and the 
corchorus its golden balls. Many of the lowlier plants 
exhibit their yellow and purple colours, and the buds 
of lilies, and other perennial plants, prepare to show 
themselves. If we turn our attention to the orchard, 
we behold the apricots, nectarines, and peaches, lead 
the way in blossoming, which are followed by the 
cherry and the plum. These form a most agreeable 
spectacle, as well on account of their beauty as of the 
promise they give of future benefits. It is, however, an 
anxious time for the possessor, as the fairest prospect 
of a plentiful increase is often blighted. Shakspeare 
draws a pathetic comparison from this circumstance* 
to paint the delusive nature of human expectation : 

11 This is the state of man ; to-day he puts forth 
The tender leaves of hope ; to-morrow blossoms, 
And bears his blushing honours thick upon him ; 
The third day comes a frost, a killing frost, 
And nips his root." 



THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. 89 

But we now return to the garden. Before we have 
time to explore nature's treasures, many disappear ; 
amongst those we had almost forgotten the humble 
daisy, which shrinks from the intense heat, and the 
several varieties of primulas, or early spring flowers. 
The various grades of polyanthus deserve a close in- 
spection ; these, for a while, exhibit their sparkling 
beauties, but, alack ! soon disappear. Scarcely have 
we sustained this loss, but in comes the auricula, and 
more than retrieves it. Arrayed she comes in a splen- 
did variety of amiable forms, with an eye of crystal, 
and garments of the most glossy satin. A very dis- 
tinguished procession this ! The favourite care of the 
florist, but these also soon disappear. Who could 
forbear grieving at their departure, did not the various 
sorts of bulbous flowers burst ther bands asunder, or 
rather expand, so as to exhibit their fragrance and 
beauty. While we reluctantly dispense with the 
sweet perfumes of the hyacinth and narcissus, we 
behold the tulips begin to raise themselves on their 
line wands or stately stalks. They flush the parterre 
with one of the gayest dresses that blooming nature 
wears. Here one may behold the innocent wanton- 
ness of beauty. Here she indulges a thousand freaks, 
and sports herself in the most charming diversity of 
colours. In a grove of tulips, or a bed of pinks, one 
perceives a difference in almost every individual. 
Scarcely any two are turned and tinted exactly alike. 
What colours, what colours are here ! these so nobly 
bold, and those so delicately languid. What a glow 
is enkindled in some ! what a gloss shines upon others. 
With what a masterly skill is every one of the vary- 

8* 



90 THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. 

ing tints disposed I Here they seem to be thrown on 
with an easy dash of security and freedom ; there they 
are adjusted by the nicest touches of art and accuracy. 
Those colours which form the ground are always so 
judiciously chosen, as to heighten the lustre of the 
superadded figures ; while the verdure of the impale- 
ment, or the shadings of the foliage, impart new 
liveliness to the whole. Fine, inimitably fine, is the 
texture of the web on which these shining treasures 
are displayed. What are the labours of the Persian 
looms ; what all the gay attire which the shuttle or 
the needle can furnish, compared with nature s works ? 
One cannot forbear reflecting in this place, on the too 
prevailing humour of being fond and ostentatious of 
dress. What an abject and mistaken ambition is this ! 
How unworthy the dignity of man, and the wisdom 
of rational beings ! Especially since these little pro- 
ductions of the earth have indisputably the pre- 
eminence in such outward embellishments. But we 
had nearly forgotten the fragrant, the very fra- 
grant wall and gilly-flowers ; some of these regale 
us with their perfumes through various vicissitudes 
and alterations of the season, while others make a 
transient visit only. In favoured situations arises the 
anemone, encircled at the bottom with a spreading 
robe, and rounded at the top into a beautiful dome. 
In its loosely-flowing mantle, you may observe a noble 
negligence ; in its gently-bending tufts, the nicest 
symmetry. This may be termed the fine gentleman 
of the garden, because it seems to possess the means 
of uniting simplicity with refinement, of reconciling 
art and ease. The same month has the merit of pro- 



THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. 



91 



ducing the ranunculus. All bold and graceful, it 
expands the riches of its foliage, and acquires by 
degrees the loveliest enamel in the world. As persons 
of intrinsic worth disdain the superficial arts of recom- 
mendation practised by fops, so this lordly flower 
scorns to borrow any of its excellencies from powders 
and essences. It needs no such attractions to render 
it the darling of the curious, being sufficiently enga- 
ging from the elegance of its figure, the radiant variety 
of its tinges, and a certain superior dignity of aspect. 

I had intended to confine our meditations to the 
beauties of April and May, but nature seems to im- 
prove in her operations. Her latest strokes are the most 
masterly. To crown the collection, she introduces the 
carnation, which captivates our eyes with a noble 
spread of graces, and charms another sense with a 
profusion of exquisite odours. This single flower has 
centered in itself the perfection of all the preceding. 
The moment it appears, it so commands our attention, 
that we scarcely regret the absence of the rest. The 
field we have entered is so extensive and so enchant- 
ing, that we cannot extricate ourselves, without taking 
a cursory glance at the airs and habits, the attitude 
and lineaments, of each distinct class. See the Paeonia 
of China, splendid and beautifully grand ! View the 
charming rose, delicate and languishingly fair ! and 
while you inhale its balmy sweetness, you will be 
constrained to admire it, notwithstanding its thorny 
appendages. Behold all the pomp and glory of the 
parterre, where nature's paint and perfume do won- 
ders. Some rear their heads as with a majestic 



92, 



THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY, 



mien, and overlook, like sovereigns or nobles, the 
whole parterre. Others seem more modest in their 
aims, and advance only to the middle stations ; a 
genius turned for heraldry might term them the gentry 
of the border; while others, free from all aspiring 
airs, creep unambitiously on the ground, and look 
like the commonalty of the kind. Some are inter- 
sected with elegant stripes, or studded with radiant 
spots. Some affect to be genteelly powdered, or neatly 
fringed ; while others are plain in their aspect, unafr 
fected in their dress, and content to please with a 
naked simplicity. Some assume the monarch's pur- 
ple ; some look most becoming in the virgin's white ; 
but black, doleful black, has no admittance into the 
wardrobe of spring. The weeds of mourning would 
be a manifest indecorum, when nature holds an uni^ 
versal festival. She would now inspire none but 
delightful ideas, and therefore always makes her ap- 
pearance in some amiable suit. Here stands a warrior 
clad with crimson ; there sits a magistrate robed in 
scarlet ; and yonder struts a pretty fellow, that seems 
to have dipped his plumes in the rainbow, and glitters 
in all the gay colours of that resplendent arch. Some 
rise into a curious cup, or fall into a set of beautiful 
bells. Others spread themselves in a swelling tuft, or 
crowd into a delicious cluster. In some the predomi- 
nant stain softens by the gentlest diminutions, till it 
has even stolen away from itself. The eye is amused 
at the agreeable delusion, and we wonder to find our- 
selves insensibly decoyed into quite a different lustre. 
In others you will think the fine tinges were emulous 
of pre-eminence. Disdaining to mingle , they confront 



THE MATRIMONIAL GARDEN. 9 3 



one another [with the resolution of rivals, determined 
to dispute the prize of beauty ; while each is improved, 
by the opposition, into the highest vivacity of com- 
plexion. 



THE MATRIMONIAL GARDEN. 

Man is formed for social enjoyment, and if it be 
allowed that Cf it is not good for man to be alone," it 
may be justly inferred that it is not good that woman 
should be alone ; hence a union of interests indicates a 
union of persons for their mutual benefit. By this 
union, a sort of seclusion from the rest of our species 
takes place ; and as a garden is a retired apartment, 
appropriated to culture and improvements, the married 
state may not be inaptly compared with it in many 
respects. 

It is good and honourable for the human species, 
prudently and cautiously to approach this delightful 
enclosure. Its entrance in general is extremely gay 
and glittering, being strewed with flowers of every 
hue and every fragrance, calculated to charm the eye 
and please the taste ; but they are not all so ; and as 
there are many persons who may wish to enter this 
garden at some time or other, who are yet strangers to 
its various productions, their attention should be di- 
rected to the cultivation of those plants which are 
beneficial, and to the avoiding or rooting up of those 
which are injurious. 



94 THE MATRIMONIAL GARDEN. 



And first, let me caution adventurers in this garden 
not to dream of permanent happiness ; if you should 
so dream, experience will soon make you wiser, as 
such happiness never existed but in visionary heads. 
If you are desirous that this garden should yield you 
all the bliss of which it is capable, you must take with 
you that excellent flower called GOOD HUMOUR, 
which, of all the flowers of nature, is the most delicious 
and delicate ; do not drop it or lose it, as many do 
soon after they enter the garden — it is a treasure that 
nothing can supply the loss of. When you get to the 
end of the first walk, wfiich contains about thirty steps, 
commonly called "the Honey Moon Path, 55 you will 
find the garden open into a vast variety of views, and 
it is necessary to caution you to avoid many produc- 
tions in them which are noxious, nauseous, and even 
fatal in their nature and tendency, especially to the 
ignorant and unwary. There is a low, small plant, 
which may be seen in almost every path, called IN- 
DIFFERENCE.— This, though not perceived in the 
entrance, you will always know where it grows, by a 
certain coldness in the air which surrounds it. Con- 
trary to the nature of plants in general, this grows by 
cold and dies by warmth ; whenever you perceive this 
change in the air, avoid the place as soon as you can. 
In the same path is often found that baneful flower 
called JEALOUSY, which I advise you never to look, 
at, for it has the strange quality of smiting the eye 
that beholds it, with a pain that is seldom or never got; 
rid of. Jealousy is a deadly flower ; it is the aconite 
of the garden, and has marred the happiness of thou- 
sands. 



THE MATRIMONIAL GARDEN. 95 



As you proceed, you will meet with many little 
crooked paths. I advise you, as a friend, never to go 
into them, for although at the entrance of each, it is 
written in large letters, I AM RIGHT, if you do enter, 
and get to the end of them, you will find the true 
name to be PERVERSENESS. These crooked paths 
occasion endless disputes, and as it is difficult to make 
the crooked straight, it is better to avoid them alto- 
gether, lest, as it sometimes happens, a total separation 
be the consequence, and you take different paths the 
rest of your lives. Near this spot, you will meet with 
a rough, sturdy plant, called OBSTINACY, which 
bears a hard, knotty fruit, that never digests, and of 
course must injure the constitution ; it even becomes 
fatal, when taken in large quantities. Turn from it, 
avoid it as you would the cholera. 

Just opposite to this, grows that lovely and lively 
shrub, called COMPLIANCE, which, though not 
always pleasant to the palate, is very salutary, and 
leaves a sweetness in the mouth ; it is a most excel- 
lent shrub, and produces the most delicious fruit. — 
Never be without a very large sprig in your hand ; it 
will often be wanted as you go along, for you cannot 
be happy without it in any part of the garden. 

In one of the principal compartments, stands a very 
important plant, called ECONOMY ; it is of a thriving 
quality ; cultivate this fine plant with all your care ; 
it adorns and enriches at the same time. Many over- 
look it, some despise it, and others think that they 
shall never want it ; it is generally overlooked in the 



96 



THE MATRIMONIAL GARDEN. 



gaiety and levity with which people enter this place, 
but the want of it is generally paid for with bitter 
repentance. There are two other plants of the same 
species, which are very closely connected, called IN- 
DUSTRY and FRUGALITY, and I must take leave 
to tell you that, unless both the male and the female 
partake largely of their branches, very little success 
can be expected ; in this they must both unite. Take 
care that you provide yourself and partner with a 
supply of each as soon as possible after you enter the 
garden. 

There are two or three paths which run much into 
one another, and deserve the closest attention of the 
softer sex ; I mean REGULARITY, EXACTNESS 
and NEATNESS.* Do not think, as some do, that 
when you have once got into the garden, you may be 
neglectful of these paths. Remember that your com- 
panion will see your neglect, which will affect his eye, 
and may alienate his heart. Enter on these depart- 
ments, then, as soon as you enter the garden, and when 
you are once fairly in, you are in for life ; the danger 
is, that if you do not get into them at an early period^ 
you will not find them afterwards. Near these walks 
is to be found that modest plant, called HUMILITY ; 

It is the violet, " doom'd to blush unseen, 
And waste its sweetness on the desert air. JJ 

It appears of little worth in itself, but when joined 
with other virtues, it adds a charm to life, and spreads 
a fragrance around its wearer. Cultivate then, with 



* In deportment as well as in dress. 



THE MATRIMONIAL GARDEN. 



97 



all your care, this sweet little plant, and you will find 
it prevent the growth of all poisonous and noxious 
weeds. 

Allow me also to drop a hint on the subject of cul- 
tivation, as connected with propagation, as that 
most probably will be your employment in this garden, 
sooner or later. Should you have the rearing of a 
young plant, remember that it is frail in its nature, 
and liable to be destroyed by every blast, and will 
demand all your care and attention. Should you be 
witness to a blast on its dawning beauties, Oh, how 
your fond heart will bleed with tenderness, affection, 
and sympathy ! The young shoot will naturally twine 
around all the fibres of your frame. Should it live and 
thrive, spare no pains to " train it up in the way it 
should go. 5 ' Weed it, water it, prune it ; it will need 
all the cultivator's skill. Without this, many weeds 
and baneful plants will grow up with it, and blast 
your fondest hopes. Be ever mindful that this is a 
trust for which both parties are accountable. 

Without careful cultivation, what can you expect 
but the most luxuriant growth of unruly appetites, 
which, in time, will break forth in all manner of dis- 
graceful irregularities? What, but that ANGER, 
like a prickly thorn, will arm the temper with an 
untractable moroseness ? That PEEVISHNESS, like 
a stinging nettle, will render the conversation irksome 
and forbidding ? That AVARICE, like some choking 
weed, will teach the fingers to gripe, and the hands to 
oppress? That REVENGE, like some poisonous 



98 



THE MATRIMONIAL GARDEN* 



plant, replete with baneful juices, will rankle in the 
breast, and meditate mischief to its neighbour? While 
unbridled LUSTS, like swarms of noisome insects* 
taint each rising thought, and render cc every imagi- 
nation of the heart only evil continually ?" Such are 
the usual products of unrestrained nature ! Such the 
furniture of the uncultivated mind ! 

* By all means, then, pay due attention to culture. 
By suitable discipline clear the soil. By careful in- 
struction implant the seeds of virtue. By skill and 
vigilance prune the unprofitable and over-luxuriant 
branches :— cc direct the young idea how to shoot,"— 
the wayward passions how to move. The mature 
man will then become the chief ornament of the gar- 
den. Around him CHARITY will breathe her sweets, 
and in his branches HOPE expand her blossoms. In 
him the personal virtues will display their graces, and 
the social ones their fruit — the sentiments become 
generqus, the carriage endearing, the life useful, and 
the end happy and peaceful. 



$|p In anticipation that inquirers after practical 
knowledge of gardening, may regret my having de- 
viated from the subject matter of the book, in con- 
necting the two last articles, I would remind such, 
that a work devoted wholly to practical subjects, is 
too dull for the generality of readers ; my object has> 
therefore, been to amuse, as well as to instruct. 

T. BRIDGEMAN. 



New-York t March 8, 1835. 



CALENDAR AND INDEX. 



The object of this Calendar is to furnish, in a con- 
densed form, monthly directions for the culture of some 
plants not previously mentioned in this work; and 
also, to direct the reader's attention to the regular 
management of such plants as have been heretofore 
treated of. In pursuit of the latter object, references 
will be made to former pages, so as to exhibit, at one 
view, the business of the Flower Garden, in each 
month of the year. The figures refer to the pages in 
which further directions may be found relative to the 
operations adverted to. 

JANUARY. 

Having shown in page 79, that heat, air, and water, 
are the food of plants, and necessary to the preserva- 
tion of their health and life, if given in due proportions 
according to circumstances, 1 would, at this season 
of the year, especially, salute the gardener with a 
" be ye temperate in all things. 55 

Temperance, in the use of water, is of the utmost 
importance in the Avinter season, for several reasons 
which may be given. In the first place, water will 
attract frost, and, therefore, should be used very spa- 
ringly in frosty weather ; another consideration is, 
that in the absence of heat and air, plants cannot 
absorb much moisture, and consequently must become 
injured from excessive watering; and it may be 



100 



CALENDAR AND INDEX. 



observed further, that it is not prudent to keep plants 
in an extremely vigorous state until the season arrives, 
when the natural air is soft and salubrious ; they can 
then have a due proportion of heat, air, and moisture 
at the same time. 

Perhaps the next important point to be attended to 
at this time is, to see that the greenhouse, or room, in 
which plants are intended to be preserved, is calculated 
for the purpose. The room should be light and airy, 
and yet so secure as to prevent the intrusion of external 
cold air, or the departure of warm air in the night 
season. 

A Fahrenheit thermometer is indispensable in a 
greenhouse, or room, where plants are kept, and the 
temperature should be always up as nearly as possible 
to 40 degrees, in the absence of the sun. If the gar- 
dener retires to rest in this variable climate, leaving 
the mercury much below 40, he may expect to find 
his plants frozen by the morning. 

At this season of the year especially, sitting-rooms or 
parlours are heated in the daytime to full 20 degrees 
higher than what is necessary for the preservation of 
plants ; consequently, as the heat declines in the night 
season, plants often get injured, unless a fire is kept up. 
Air must be admitted to plants kept in this way at all 
opportunities, and more water will be necessary for 
such plants, than those kept in a greenhouse would 
require. For the management of Bulbous roots, in 
pots or glasses, the reader is referred to page 73. 

FEBRUARY. 

Having in the previous chapter discussed some im- 
portant points relative to the general care of plants* 
I now proceed to notice a few of those kinds that 
require attention at this particular season : Camellias 
or Japan Roses. These valuable plants are too often 
injured by amateurs from misapplied care bestowed 
upon them, so that their whole compensation and 



CALENDAR AND INDEX. 



101 



enjoyment is reduced to the mere possession of a 
handsome green shrub, Destined from the extreme 
beauty and unrivalled delicacy of their flowers to be- 
come the chief pride and ornament of the greenhouse 
and drawing-room in the winter season, the Camellias 
should have a fair chance given them to exhibit their 
bloom in perfection. 

It should be observed, that Camellias are by no 
means tender shrubs, but require to be kept in a 
medium even temperature, and they generally succeed 
best in a greenhouse, where the atmosphere is damp. 
As the buds begin to swell, they will require more 
water than at any other time, which may be applied 
from the rose of a watering pot, or syringe, while in 
bud, but when in blossom, it should be applied to the 
earth. 

If Camellias be kept where there is a dry air, occa- 
sioned from fire heat, they must have plenty of the 
natural air at all opportunities, or the buds will become 
brown and fall off ; and if they are subjected to extreme 
cold at night, which is too frequently the case, when 
kept in rooms of an uneven temperature, premature 
decay of the buds will inevitably be the consequence. 

Such bulbous roots as may be in progress of blooming, 
will require attention this month ; turn them fre- 
quently to the light, as recommended in page 73, 
increase the supplies of water as they advance towards 
perfection, and admit air at all opportunities. Take 
off and remove yellow and decayed leaves from plants 
in general ; those that are not in bud should be 
watered very sparingly. Shrubby plants, especially 
those which bud and blossom in the winter, and early 
part of the spring, as the several varieties of Acacias, 
Correas, Coronillas, Daphnes, Diosmas, Eutaxias, 
Fuchsias, Gnidias, Heaths, Laurustinuses, Lemon 
and Orange trees, &c, will require water once or 
twice a week according to circumstances, and air 
should be given at all opportunities, or the plants will 
not blossom in perfection. 

9* 



102 



CALENDAR AND INDEX* 



MARCH. 

As the spring progresses, the natural air will he soft 
and salubrious ; at which time it should be freely 
admitted to plants kept in rooms and greenhouses. 
In proportion as the plants get air, they should have 
water applied from the rose of a watering-pot. 

Monthly Roses will require attention this month. 
It should be recollected, that it is from the young wood 
of these plants, that buds are to be expected ; their 
growth should, therefore, be encouraged, by admitting 
sun and air at all opportunities, and water when 
necessary. 

Primulas. There are several species of plants under 
this name, which exhibit their blossoms in March and 
April ; some of which are very beautiful, as the 
Polyanthus, English Spring Flowers, Auricula, &c ; 
but f would now direct the reader's attention to the 
Chinese varieties, some of which are pure white, and 
others of a lilac colour. They are first raised from seed 
sown in the spring, and will keep two or three years. 

Plants that are full grown, will commence blooming 
in December, and continue to produce umbels of flow- 
ers for five or six months, if well attended to ; they are 
generally in their prime this month, at which time 
a little water should be applied to the earth about 
twice a week. 

For the benefit of such as may wish to raise early 
plants from seed, or to force Dahlia or other roots, I 
subjoin the following brief directions for making a 
small hot-bed : In a border exposed to morning sun, 
let a pit be dug about thirty inches deep, three feet 
wide, and six long ; this will admit of two sashes, each 
about three feet square. A frame of suitable dimen- 
sions may be made of plank ; the back plank may be 
two feet wide, and the end ones may be sloped so as 
to make a fifteen-inch plank do for the front. The 
frame being made, set it over the pit, and then get 
about half a load of horse dung, fresh, from the livery 



CALENDAR AND INDEX. ]03' 

stables, (not such as have lain long, or may have been 
soddened with water,) spread the dung evenly in the 
pit until it is full, then put in good light rich mould or 
compost, to the depth of about ten or twelve inches, 
and the seed may be sown as soon as the mould gets 
warm, see page 16. It may be necessary to observe, 
that in making hot-beds, the quantity of top mould 
should be regulated according to the substance of 
manure in the pit, and this may vary according to the 
use the beds are intended for, or to other circumstances. 
After the seeds are sown, the beds will require con- 
stant attention ; cover up warm in cold nights, and 
give air at all opportunities, to prevent the plants from 
growing weak, 

APRIL. 

This is the most important month in the year for 
gardening operations. If not done towards the end 
of the last month, the covering must be taken from 
hardy flowering plants, early in this month, and the 
beds and borders attended to as directed, page 15, 25, 
59, and 71 ; at the same time, clip edgings of box, and 
clean, relay, or make new gravel walks, &c. 11 • prune 
and transplant flowering shrubs, 26 and 39 ; and hardy 
herbaceous plants, 22 and 23. Sow flower seeds ; the 
hardiest may be sown in the open borders, and the 
tender in hot-beds, 16 to 19. All the soil of a garden 
should be dug this month, if possible, and pulverised 
as directed, 16 and 41. It will be necessary to look 
over all the greenhouse plants in the early part of this 
month ; let them be deprived of dead wood, if any, by 
a careful pruning ; at the same time take off all yellow 
leaves ; the earth, at the top of the pots, should be 
loosened, so as to admit the sun and air to the roots 
of the plants, 78 and 81. If insects prevail, on roses 
or other plants, a fumigation, with tobacco smoke, 
will be necessary. Bulbous roots will require some 
attention this month ; those in bloom, in the garden, 
should be tied up to wires or small sticks ; and those 



1^04 CALENDAR AND INDEX. 

kept inside should be watered in proportion as they 
get heat and air. The Calla, or Ethiopian Lily, will 
need frequent watering while in bud and blossom. 
Air must be admitted freely to all greenhouse plants 
towards the end of this month, in order to prepare them 
for the exposure of the open garden next month. For 
the method of managing Dahlia roots, 54 ; prepare to 
plant tender bulbous roots, towards the end of this, or 
early in the next month. The following should be 
forwarded in pots, which may be kept in a greenhouse 
or warm room, or they may be plunged in a hot-bed : 
Amaryllises, 46 ; Gladioluses, 57 ; Lilies, 62; Tube- 
roses, 72; Tiger Flowers, 73. Hydrangeas, Pome- 
granates, Verbenas, and other deciduous shrubby 
plants, should be cultivated early in this month, to 
promote the production of leaf and flower buds. 

MAY. 

As the warm weather progresses, the gardener 
should be on the alert, in order to conquer the various 
kinds of insects. Burn tobacco leaves in the green- 
house, so as to fumigate the plants well, before they 
are removed into the open garden ; and such plants as 
may show T any indications of being infested with the 
eggs of insects should be sponged with soap-suds, and 
afterwards well syringed and watered. Frequent 
sprinkling from the rose of a watering-pot, will pre- 
vent insects from accumulating ; especially if the 
water be impregnated with tobacco, by a bag of the 
leaves being steeped therein a few hours previous to 
using it. Choice Geraniums will need attention this 
month, in order that they may exhibit their flowers to 
advantage. When in full bloom, care should be taken 
not to wet the foliage or flowers, but this may be done 
freely before the buds are expanded. If awnings were 
not provided last month, for the protection of choice 
flowers, it should be attended to early in this month. 
46, 58 and 7L Plant Amaryllises, 46; Double Dan- 



CALENDAR AND INDEX. 



105, 



lias, 54 and 55 ; Gladioluses, 57 \ Lilies, 62 ; Tube- 
roses, 72; Tiger Flowers, 73. Sow Annual, Bi- 
ennial, and Perennial flower seeds in the open bor- 
ders, 16 to 22. Attend to the walks, edgings, &c. 
and see that tall plants are neatly tied to sticks, wires, 
or stakes, 11, 24, 55, and 59. Procure and plant such 
Perennial plants as may be necessary to make variety 
in the flower beds, 23. 

Greenhouse plants may be set out by about the 
middle of the month, and it should be done in cloudy 
weather, in order that they may be prepared gradually 
for the shining of the sun upon them. A situation, 
exposed to the sun for only one half of the day, is pre- 
ferable for most plants, especially if they can be shaded 
at noon. Many plants, such as Coronillas, Heaths, 
Aucubas, Myrtles, Oleanders, and several other sorts, 
are subject to be infested with white and brown scaly 
insects ; if these cannot be effectually taken from the 
plants by washing and sponging, let the plants be 
headed down early in the month of May, and if they 
are well attended to, new branches will shoot out on 
the old stem. Such Orange trees as were budded last 
July or August, should also be headed down early in 
this month. 

JUNE. 

The principal sowing season may be considered as 
past ; but if any failures should have happened of 
former sowings, seeds may be sown the early part of 
this month, which, if kept watered occasionally, will 
grow very quick. Greenhouse plants will need wa- 
tering every evening, in dry warm weather; and in 
the absence of dews, some sorts may need a little in 
the morning at sunrise, 80. Hydrangeas, Daisies, 
Polyanthus, Primulas, &c. should be kept shaded 
from the noon-day sun, or they will droop, and some 
may die. Carnations and Pinks, will need frequent 
watering at the roots, and the branches should be tied 
neatly to rods. Such flowering shrubs as may have : 



106 



CALENDAR AND INDEX. 



been planted late in the Spring season, should be fre^ 
quently watered in dry weather. Give frequent 
waterings to the flower beds, in general ; cut down 
dead flower stalks ; remove decayed plants, and re- 
place them with vigorous ones from the nursery bed, 
11. Transplant annual flower plants into the regular 
beds with a small trowel or neat dibble, 19. 

Plant Colchicums, 48 ; finish planting Dahlias, and 
provide poles for their support, 55 ; water them occa- 
sionally in dry weather. 

Many sorts of Bulbous roots will be ripe by the end 
of this month ; these should be taken up, and dried as 
directed, page 42, Those cultivated in pots should 
not be watered after the foliage is decayed, until the 
period of regermination takes place, 44 and 74. 

Numerous beautiful flowers exhibit themselves this 
month ; some of which are noticed in an article enti- 
tled The Beauties of April and May, page 89 to 91. 
There are, however, several others worthy of notice, 
which are omitted in that article. The several spe- 
cies of the Phlox, are remarkable showy plants, and 
very desirable to cultivate, as they blossom in their 
several varieties the whole season. Besides these* 
are all the splendid varieties of Roses, Paeonies, Pinks, 
Lychnises, Sweet Williams, Fox Gloves, Snap-dra- 
gons, Perennial Lupins, Verbenas, Veronicas, Vale- 
rians, &c. These should be all attended to, and their 
branches should be tied to neat stakes, so as to enable 
them to exhibit their flowers to the greatest possible 
advantage. 

JULY. 

Greenhouse plants will need daily care at this sea- 
son; let them be watered every evening in dry weather. 
Such Geraniums as may have grown lars;e and un- 
wieldy, may now be pruned, in order that their size 
and appearance may be improved, 81. Garden Roses 
having done flowering for the season, should also be 
pruned. Cut out all old exhausted wood, and where 



CALENDAR AND INDEX. 



107 



it is too thick and crowded, shorten such shoots as 
have flowered to a good fresh strong eye, or bud, 
accompanied with a healthy leaf. All wood that 
grows after this pruning, will ripen perfectly, and 
produce large flowers the ensuing year* 

If dry warm weather, it may be necessary to water 
such flowering shrubs and roses as were planted in the 
spring ; and if Dahlia plants could be watered two or 
three times a week, it would be beneficial to their 
growth. Give regular syringings or sprinklings from 
the rose of a watering-pot, to shrubby plants in ge- 
neral, but particularly to Camellias, Orange and 
Lemon trees, &c, in order to keep them in a healthy 
state. 

Such bulbous roots in pots, whose foliage may have 
withered, should be kept dry until the period of re- 
germinating, 44 and 74 ; others may be taken up as 
soon as ripe, after which the offsets may be parted 
off, and both these and the parent bulbs dried for 
planting in Autumn, 42. 

The Flower Garden should be kept weeded and 
watered, and the seeds gathered as they ripen ; apply 
neat rods to the tall-growing and running kinds of 
plants. Nip off curled and dead leaves, and destroy 
insects. 

Orange and Lemon trees may be budded any time 
this month, and those which were headed down in the 
spring, should be examined, and all superfluous shoots 
must be pruned off with a sharp knife, leaving only 
the strongest ; the tops of which should be pruned 
off to promote their branching. Myrtles, Oleanders, 
and such other plants as may have been headed down 
in May, will need similar treatment. 

AUGUST. 

Greenhouse plants will need particular attention 
this month. They should be watered every evening 
in dry weather, and as soon as the extreme heat of 



108 



CALENDAR AND INDEX. 



the Summer is past, preparation must be made for reple- 
nishing them with fresh compost, by repotting them. 
Previous to the commencement of this business, let 
such compost as is suited to the various kinds of plants 
be provided, 81. Those who may have a number of 
plants in various sized pots, should provide a few new 
pots a size larger than the largest in use ; the largest 
plants being shifted into the new pots, leaves the next 
sized pots for the second-sized plants, and by pursuing 
this plan of shifting until the whole are done, the 
smallest pots will be left for such plants as may have 
been propagated in the course of the Summer. The 
shifting of plants requires considerable attention and 
judgment, as some plants, if kept in over large pots, 
will sustain considerable injury ; therefore, in such 
cases, where the fibrous roots have not spread around 
the pot, nothing more is necessary than to rub off a 
little of the outside mould, and then to substitute fresh 
compost for the roots to run in. Such plants as may 
have become pot-bound, and whose roots are matted 
around the pot, will, in many cases, bear reducing. 
If the matted roots are carefully pared off, and the 
plants shifted into good fresh compost, they will soon 
take root, and grow freely ; but it will be necessary 
to prune off all surplus branches of the plants, pre- 
vious to repotting them, and to shade them for a week 
or ten days. Pieces of tile, or broken pots, should be 
laid over the aperture at the bottom of the pots, to 
enable the surplus moisture to drain off, or the roots 
will sustain injury. 

The flower beds will need attention this month. 
Water Dahlias and other choice plants in dry weather ; 
cut down all decayed flower stalks, as soon as the seed 
is gathered, and pull up annuals as they cease to 
flower. Plant Oxalises in small pots, 64, and prepare 
compost for other tender Bulbs to be planted in pots 
next month. 



CALENDAR A.ND INDEX. 



109 



SEPTEMBER. 

Such greenhouse] plants as may have been repotted, 
and pruned in the course of the last month, should be 
looked over, and if they have taken root, they should 
be exposed gradually to the sun, and watered mode- 
rately in dry weather. If any of the Greenhouse 
plants were planted in flower beds, they should be 
taken up and pruned early in this month, and then put 
into suitable sized pots. Half hardy Perennials, such 
as Carnations, Daisies, Primulas, Lilies, Hydrangeas, 
&c. should be taken up, divided carefully at the roots, 
and then put into moderate-sized pots, and attended to 
as before directed for Greenhouse plants. 

Many hardy kinds of flower seeds may be sown this 
month* 17 and 23, This is a good season to propagate 
all kinds of hardy Perennial plants, by parting the 
roots ; and those that were raised from seed in the 
Spring, may be planted in the regular flower beds, 
in cloudy or wet weather, 22 and 23. Plant Crown 
Imperials, 48 ; Ixias, 60 ; Lachenalias, 61 ; Lilies, 62 ; 
Ornithogalums and Oxalises, 64. Some species of the 
Persian Cyclamen are worthy of cultivation in pots ; 
the varieties, Coum and Persicum, will bloom in a 
Greenhouse or warm room, from January to April, if 
planted in a good light compost early in this month. 
The foliage of these plants is of a dark green velvet 
colour ; and the flowers of the variety Coum are of a 
deep crimson colour ; those of the variety Persicum 
are of a delicate French white, tipped with pink, and 
their fragrance is similar to that of the wild rose. 

OCTOBER. 

In the early part of this month, preparation must be 
made for the housing of Greenhouse plants. Previous 
to this being done, let the room or Greenhouse be 
white-washed with lime ; which will prove pernicious 

10 



110 



CALENDAR AND INDEX. 



to insects, and prevent their generating amongst the 
plants. Begin the first week of this month, and place 
all the tall shrubby plants, such as Orange and Lemon 
trees, on the back shelves ; others should be placed so 
as they can be cultivated to advantage, and they 
shouldall be arranged in regular gradation, so as to 
have the low-growing, or dwarf plants, on the front 
shelves. If any Chrysanthemums were planted in the 
garden with a view to their being potted, they should 
now be taken up carefully, and prepared for blooming, 
82. Stockgillies and Wall flowers should also be taken 
up, potted, and kept in a shady situation, until they 
have taken root. Such Dahlia plants as may have 
been cultivated in pots should be sheltered from the 
chilling air, and those in the ground will need atten- 
tion. Prepare the ground for all the hardy kinds of 
Bulbous flower roots, 41. Towards the end of the 
month, plant Anemones, Ranunculuses, and Cro- 
cuses, 47; Crown Imperials, 48; Gladioluses, 57; 
Hyacinths, 58; Irises, 59; Ixias and Jonquils, 60; 
Lilies, 61; Narcissus, 63 ; Ornithogalums, 64; Peo- 
nies, 65 ; Tulips, 70 and 71. For the management of 
Bulbous roots in pots and glasses, see pages 74 and 75. 
Prune flowering shrubs, and make new plantations of 
them, 39. 

NOVEMBEK. 

During the continuance of mild weather, Green- 
house plants should have air at all opportunities, and 
water in proportion, as heat and air is attainable, 80. 
Bulbous roots in pots and glasses will also need atten- 
tion, 73 to 75. Half hardy plants, such as Stock Gil- 
lies, Wall Flowers, Carnations, Primulas, Hydran- 
geas, Daisies, &c, must either be placed in frames, or 
in a Greenhouse, early in this month. If Dahlia, 
Tuberose, and other tender roots were not taken up 
last month, let it be done in due time this month, 43. 

Cover up flower beds with leaves, straw, or light 



CALENDAR AND INDEX. 



Ill 



litter, 25: finish planting Bulbous roots, before the 
frost sets in. Plant Anemones, Ranunculuses, and 
Crocuses, 47 ; Hyacinths, 58 ; Irises, 59 ; Ixias and 
Jonquils, 60 ; Lilies, 61 ; Narcissuses, 63 ; Pseonies^ 
65, and Tulips, 70 and 71. These, and all other kinds 
of plants will need protection before the setting in of 
the Winter, 42. Flowering and Ornamental Shrubs 
may be planted in mild weather, 39 ; lay long litter 
round the roots of them, and also of the Grape Vines 
and other tender plants, shrubs, &c. Before the Win- 
ter sets in severe, let such Chrysanthemums as may 
have been cultivated in pots be planted in the garden, 
83. Plant Gladioluses in pots, 57; also such other 
Bulbous roots as may be required to be kept in rooms, 
page 74. 

DECEMBER. 

If all was not done as directed last month, there is 
now no time to be lost. All kinds of tender plants in 
pots, should be set into frames or pits, and plunged in 
old tan or light mould ; and in the event of severe 
frosts, coverings of mats, straw, &c. must be laid over 
them. Greehouse plants will need constant care and 
attention. When water is necessary, let it be given 
in mild weather, 78. In the event of an accident hap- 
pening from frost, I would remark, that the sudden 
transition from cold to heat is often more destructive 
to plants than the frost itself. If, therefore, plants get 
frozen, and cannot be screened from the rays of the 
sun, they should be watered as the air get warms, and 
before they begin to thaw. If sufficient attention be 
paid so as to have the temperature of the house gra- 
dually rising as the water is sprinkled over the leaves, 
it may be a means of preserving plants that would 
otherwise be destroyed. See that the Greenhouse, or 
room in which plants are kept, is so secure as to pre- 
vent the intrusion of cold air, or the departure of warm 
air in the night season. 



HINTS ON COOKING RARE VEGETABLES. 



In order to make this little work generally interest- 
ing* to the female sex, for whose use it is chiefly in- 
tended, the following hints on cooking such sorts of 
vegetables as are not in daily use are submitted ; from 
a consciousness that a true estimate cannot be formed 
of the luxuries of the vegetable kingdom, unless their 
peculiar qualities be preserved in cooking. 

Artichoke. — This vegetable is esteemed as a 
luxury by epicures. To have it in perfection, the 
heads should be thrown into cold water as soon as 
gathered, and after having been soaked and well 
washed, put into the boiler when the water is hot, with 
a little salt, and kept boiling until tender, which gene- 
rally takes, for full grown Artichokes, from an hour 
and a half to two hours. When taken up, drain and 
trim them- then serve them up with melted butter, 
pepper, salt, and such other condiment as may best 
suit the palate. 

Asparagus. — This is considered a wholesome vege- 
table, and should not be kept long after it is gathered ; 
after being well washed, it may be tied in bundles of 
about a dozen buds each. Let the water be boiled 
with a portion of salt, and after having been skimmed 
put in the Asparagus, and watch until the stalks 
become tender, which will be in from twenty to thirty 
minutes ; take them up before they lose their true 
colour and flavour, and serve up on toasted bread, with 
melted butter, &c. 

Beaks. — The English Broad Beans should be ga- 
thered young, and shelled while fresh; and after having 
been washed, let them be boiled in plenty of water 
with a little salt and a bunch of green parsley ; they 
take from thirty to fortv minutes boiling, according to 

10* 



114 JOINTS- OK COOKING RARE VEGETABLES. 



age, and may be served up with melted butter, gravy, 
&c. ; but they are very good when cooked and eaten 
with fat pork, or good old-fashioned Hampshire bacon. 

Beans, Kidney. — These should not be suffered to 
get old and tough before gathered ; be careful in trim- 
ming them to cut off the stalk end first, and then turn 
to the point and strip off the strings ; put them into 
the water while boiling, which should be previously 
seasoned with salt ; when they are tender, which will 
be in from fifteen to twenty minutes, take them up, 
and drain them through a colander, in order to render 
them capable of absorbing a due share of gravy, 
melted butter, &c. 

Beans, Lima. — These should be shelled while 
fresh, and boiled in plenty of water until tender, which 
generally takes from fifteen to twenty minutes. Some 
cook them in the winter after having been dried, in 
which case they should be soaked in soft water for a 
few hours, and then put into the water cold and 
boiled until tender with a little salt ; but salted 
meat being boiled with them, answers the same,pur- 
pose, and makes them sweeter and more wholesome. 
They are served up with butter, &c. 

Broccoli and Cauliflower. — These delicious 
vegetable luxuries should be gathered while the head 
is close and perfect. After having trimmed off some 
of their outside leaves, let them be boiled in plenty of 
water seasoned with salt, taking care to skim the pot 
before putting the vegetables therein, and also to ease 
the cover so as not to confine the steam. Take them up 
as soon as the fork will enter the stems easily, which 
will take from ten to twenty minutes, according to their 
size and age ; drain them so as to make them susceptible 
of absorbing a due proportion of gravy, melted butter, 
&c. this renders them a palatable and dainty dish. 

Cabbage, Colewort, Kale, and greens in general, 
should be put into hot water seasoned with salt, and 



HINTS ON COOKING RARE VEGETABLES. 



115 



kept boiling briskly until tender. If you wish to pre- 
serve their natural colour, put a small lump of pearlash 
into the water, which also makes the coarser kinds of 
Cabbage more tender in the absence of salted meat. 

Egg-Plants. — Select the fruit when at maturity. 
Cut them into slices and parboil them in a stewpan ; 
when softened, pour off the water, and drain them ; 
they may be then fried in batter made with wheaten 
flour and an egg, or in fresh butter with bread crum- 
bled fine, which may be seasoned before it is put into 
the pan with pepper, salt, thyme, and such other 
herbs as may best suit the palate. Some use Marjoram, 
Summer Savory, Parsley, Onion, Garlick, &c. 

Parsnip. — Parsnips require from, thirty to forty 
minutes boiling, according to their size and age. Some 
boil them in water seasoned with salt until tender ; 
but they are better when boiled with salted pork, and 
afterwards mashed and fried in butter. 

Peas. — To have Peas in perfection, they should be 
gathered while young, and shelled and boiled while 
fresh ; as they soon lose both their colour and sweet- 
ness. Let the water, after having been seasoned with 
salt, be skimmed, then put in the Peas with a small 
bunch of S pear Mint, and ease the cover so as tolet 
off the steam ; they require about fifteen minutes 
boiling, or five minutes, more or less, according to the 
age and care bestowed. — Taste and try in time, so as 
to have them done to a nicety. 

Rhubarb. — The stalks of this plant are used for 
pies and tarts. After being stripped of the skin, or 
outer covering, and divested of its small fibres, or 
stringyness, which it is liable to, in an advanced stage 
of growth ; it should be cut transversely into very 
small pieces, and then parboiled with sugar, and such 
spices as may best suit the palate. It will keep this 
way the same as other preserves, and may be used, 
not only in pies and tarts^, but it makes excellent pud- 



116 HINTS ON COOMING RARE VEGETABLES? 

ding by flattening a suet crust with a rolling-pin,, 
then spreading on the fruit, roiling it up in an oval 
shape, and boiling it in a cloth. The fruit this way 
will retain its virtues, and the pudding maybe served 
up hot by cutting it in slices of from half an inch to an 
inch thick, and then spreading butter and sugar be- 
tween the layers. 

Some boil the stalks to a juice, which being strained 
through a colander will keep for years, if well spiced 
and seasoned with sugar. 

Salsify.— The mode of cooking this vegetable, as 
recommended by an American author, is cc to cut the 
roots transversely into thin pieces, and then boil them 
in water, or milk and water ; when boiled soft, mash 
them* and thicken the whole with flower, to some 
degree of stiffness; then fry them in the fat of salt 
pork or butter ; they are a luxury ." In England the 
tops are considered excellent food when boiled tender, 
and served up with poached eggs and melted butter. 
They are by some considered salutary for persons in- 
clined to consumptive affections. Those afflicted with 
any symptoms indicating an approach to such a state of 
health, cannot harm themselves by eating the tops, 
when they are to be got, which is in the month of 
April, and if the roots are eaten when attainable, they 
may perhaps answer a still better purpose, and even 
the liquor in which they are boiled, may possess some 
of the most valuable properties of the plant. 

Scorzonera. — This vegetable is very similar to 
the Salsify, only that the roots are of a darker colour, 
but they, no doubt, possess the same good qualities. 
Some boil and eat them like carrots, &c, in which case 
they should be deprived of their rind and immersed in 
cold water for half an hour, to take off the bitterness 
to which old roots are liable, as this plant, being pe- 
rennial, is often cooked when three or four years old. 
Those who choose, may prepare them for the table in 
the manner recommended for Salsify. 



HINTS ON COOKING RARE VEGETABLES. 117 



Sea Kale. — To have this rare vegetable in per- 
fection, it should be cooked as soon as gathered. Let 
it be first soaked in water, seasoned with salt, for half 
an hour; then wash it in fresh water, and put it into 
the cooking utensil; keep it boiling briskly, skim 
clean, and let off steam; when the stalks are tender, 
which may be expected in from fifteen to twenty-five 
minutes, according to size and age, take it up, dish it, 
and serve it up with melted butter, gravy, and such 
condiments as may be most agreeable to the palate. 

Skirret. — The roots of the Skirret are very whole- 
some for food. They are composed of several fleshy 
tubers, as large as a man's finger, and joining together 
at top . They are eaten boiled'and stewed, with butter, 
pepper, and salt, or rolled in flour and fried, or else 
cold, with oil and vinegar, being first boiled. They 
have much the taste and flavour of a Parsnip, but are 
a great deal more palatable. 

Spinach. — Some cook Spinach in a steamer over 
boiling water, but it is very good boiled, provided it 
be well drained in a colander before it is dished ; this 
is absolutely necessary, if you wish to have it so as to 
absorb a moderate quantity of gravy, melted butter, 
&c. which is indispensible with green vegetables.— 
Spinach retains its flavour best by being stewed with- 
out water. 

Turnip.— This is a favourite vegetable with some, 
and in England a leg of mutton and caper sauce is con- 
sidered by epicures as but half a dish without mashed 
Turnips. To have them in perfection, they should, 
after having been deprived of their rind, be equalised 
by cutting the largest transversely in the centre, and 
then, after being boiled tender, let them be taken up 
and pressed as dry as possible ; at the same time let a 
lump of butter and a due portion of cayenne pepper 
and salt be added, and be beaten up with the turnips 
until properly mixed. Use the natural gravy from 
the meat unadulterated, and such condiment as- may 
be most esteemed. 



118 HINTS ON COOKING RARE VEGETABLES". 



Vegetable Marrow, as well as all other kinds 
of Squashes, should, after having been boiled tender, 
be pressed as close as possible between two wooden 
trenchers, or by means of a slice or skimmer, made of 
the same materials, until dry , and then prepared for the 
table in the same manner as Turnips. 

In conclusion of this article, it may be necessary to 
observe, that all vegetables should be drained as dry as 
possible before they are dished, as the liquid running 
from them in the plate, weakens such gravies or con- 
diments as may be served up with them, and, conse- 
quently, makes them less palatable. 



FORWARDING RHUBARB. 

Those who may desire to have this excellent sub- 
stitute for fruit at an early season, may procure it 
without much trouble. It is customary with some 
persons in the Southern parts of England to keep this 
plant growing in their kitchens, so that they may have 
it for use at any time. They have strong neat boxes 
made for the purpose, about three feet deep and two 
wide, and in length according to the demand, from 
four to eight feet ; these being kept clean, have the 
appearance of flour-bins, and they are sometimes so 
contrived as to have shelves over them in imitation of 
a kitchen dresser. The plants being taken up out of 
the garden towards winter, are placed as close at the 
bottom of the box as they can be put, with their 
crowns level; and some sand being thrown over 
sufficient to fill up the interstices, and to cover the 
crowns about half an inch, finishes the operation. No 
further trouble is necessary, except to give a little 
water just to keep the roots moist, as they need no 
light at all, and if the roots be replanted in the garden 
when spring opens, they will, after having taken root , 
vegetate as strongly as before they were removed. 

Roots of Rhubarb being taken up in the autumn, and , 
packed in sand deposited in a warm cellar, will pro- 
duce stalks earlier than if kept in. the garden, and if* 
placed in hot-beds they will yield abundantly. 



GENERAL INDEX. 



Page. 

Annual Flower Seeds, a catalogue of, - - 1*2 

Air, Heat, Light, and Moisture, essential to vegetation, 80 & 99 
Aspect, situation, &c. - - - 9, 42 & 105 

Awning, necessary to protect choice flowers, 46, 58 & 71 

Biennial and Perennial Flower Seeds, a catalogue of, - 20 
Blank Book recommended, - - 17, 18 & 70 

Bulbous and Tuberous roots, defined, - - 41 

Bulbous and Tuberous-rooted Plants, observations on, 39 & 73 
Bulbous and Tuberous roots, to preserve, - 42, 43 & 76 
Beauties of April and Mav. - 84 
Climbing Plants. - - - 14, 21, 26 & 35 

Chrysanthemums, - - 82, 110 & 111 

Camellia Japonicas, management of, - - 101 & 107 

Calendar and Index, - - - 99 to 111 

Double Dahlias, a catalogue of, - - - 49 to 54 

Double Dahlias, general management of, 43, 54 & 106 

Drilling System recommended, - - 17, 18 & 19 

Edgings, Lawns, &c. - - - - 11 & 24 

Flower Garden, observations on, - - 9, 15, 24 & 39 

Greenhouse Plants, general management of, 77, 99 to 111 

Garden Tools, Labels, &c. indispensably necessary, 15 & 19 
Hot-Bed, management of 102 & 103 

Hints on Cooking Rare Vegetables, - - 112 to 117 

Insects, to destroy, - 103, 104 & 105 

Manure, Compost, and Soils, management of, 15, 41 & 81 
Matrimonial Garden, - - 93 

Plants often killed with kindness, - 79, 80, 83 & lo^ 

Perennial, Herbaceous Plants, to propagate, 22, 33 & 77 

Primulas, culture and management of, 102, 105, 109 & 110 
Protection of Flower beds, - 25, 42, 46 & 71 

Roses, running kinds of, - - - - 37 & 38 

Roses, management of, - - 102, 103 & 106 

Shrubs, Flowering and Ornamental, - - - 25 to 39 
Shrubby, Greenhouse Plants, management of, 101, 104, 105 & 107 
Thermometer, indispensable in a greenhouse, - - 100 
Transplanting Flowering Plants, - - - 19 & 23 
Shifting Potting and Replenishing Plants, 81 & 108 

Tempr. mce in the use of water, recommended, - 80 & 99 



120 



INDEX. 



BULBOUS AND TUBEROUS ROOTS. 



Amaryllises, 44 
Anemones & Ranunculuses. 46 

Crocuses, - - - 47 

Crown Imperials, - 47 

Oolchicums, - - 48 

Cyclamens, Persian, 109 

Double Dahlias, - 48 

Gladioluses, - - 56 

Hyacinths, - - 58 

Irises, - - - 59 

Ixias, - - 60 



Page. 



Jonquils, - - 60 

Lachenalias, - - 60 

Lilies, - 61 

Narcisuses, - - 62 

Ornithogalums, - 63 

Oxalises, - - 64 

Paeonies, - - - 64 

Tulips, 66 

Tuberoses, - - 71 

Tiger Flowers, - - - 72 



PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS, FOR THE 
CULTIVATION OF BULBOUS ANI> 
TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS, 
WILL BE FOUND UN- 
DER EACH 
HEAD. 



THE VOUSG 

GARDBMT&lt'£ ASSISTANT : 

CONTAINING DIRECTIONS FOR THE CULTIVATION OF 

Culinary Vegef" 



FRUIT TREES, ' 

SIXTH EE 

By T. Bri^semin, Garc 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



COMMEN3 

"The uvst edition : of th ( 
been favourably noticed in ^_ 

HoHicole dt Fromont,' the editof oTvvThctt, Le i^Tievmiei^Twrapg^, 
Bodin,speaks of it in terms of high eomp.cndation.' 5 — N { Y. Farmer: ' 

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it must be an invaluable manual for those who may wish to super- 
intend the management -of their own gardens;" — Albany Argus. 

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shall be, ' generally useful to such as may wish to superintend, or 
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—American. ■ >'./ 

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on which it treats. The directions given, the author says, are the 
result of twelve years' experience, and we dare to say, that though 
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Courier and Enquirer. 

cc No work on the sulSject of Kitchen Gardening, ever published 
in this country, lias niet with so very genera: ^-probation and 
extensive sale. *jVljp. Bridgeman ; w ,; . '.. ; j<>wn r.s (;..; of c hcc> 
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tl Bridgeman s (fardener 3 s Assistant. — The fourth edition of 
this useful little manual is published, and is rendered of increased 
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the disciples of Flora, in the city. Mr. Bridgeman is a practical 
gardener and seedsman, and has lived many years on both sides of 
the Atlantic 5 ' — Old Countryman, 



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